Ukraine – worrisome anti-corruption lawfare

This article from Politico EU, highlights the darker issues involving anti-corruption in Ukraine. To be clear, Ukraine is continuing to fight for its life, and its citizens deserve a government that will make certain that Ukraine survives. This also means that accountability is extremely important, and this article addresses a worrisome issue. In this case Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, previous head of the Ukraine’s state-owned national power company Ukrenergo, who had lost his position last year and has been a vocal critic since then. Unfortunately, just recently the government has brought forth charges, and he has been arraigned on embezzlement charges. Certainly, this should not be so worrisome, but this seems to be a pattern, as “opposition lawmakers and civil society activists are up in arms, labeling this yet another example of Ukraine’s leadership using lawfare to intimidate opponents and silence critics by accusing them of corruption or of collaboration with Russia.” The case itself has led to confusion as the case does not seem to show any personal enrichment, and there were questions if the government is trying to use Mr. Kudrytskyi as a scapegoat for potential issues. Overall, this is one more worrisome issue in Ukraine’s anti-corruption challenges.

Why should we care and what should be done? This situation reminds us that there still is significant amounts of gray in Ukraine when we discuss corruption. It is important that this case be monitored closely and that the international community does not ignore indicators and should help ensure that transparency and accountability are a part of support to Ukraine. Ukraine’s challenges are many and ensuring that the government does not monopolize power to such a degree that it threatens the country’s democracy.  Thankfully publicizing such cases is one important way to minimize the damage of such potential situations.

Link:

https://www.politico.eu/article/dark-side-zelenskyy-rule-ukraine/