Despite Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022,Ukraine has made considerable progress in fighting corruption during the last ten years. The EU and the OECD have reviewed its progress positively and it has improved in Transparency Inteational’s Corruption Perception Index.
Reforms in war times
Ukrainian,German,and inteational experts gathered in Berlin on 21 May to evaluate Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. The meeting was part of a conference called Building Inteal Resilience: Corruption Prevention in Ukraine’s Recovery, organized by the German-Ukrainian Bureau (special appreciation given to Mattia and Inna Nelles for their effort) and AntAC with the support of Democracy Reporting Inteational among others. While showcasing the strides made by Ukraine in corruption prevention and prosecution,the event also shed light on the various challenges plaguing the country.
There are many reasons why Ukraine is seen as corrupt. The problem has been real across countries in the region. Ukraine,having enjoyed a relatively free press,has seen much public reporting on corruption scandals. Civil society has been highly active in combatting corruption,and Ukrainians have taken to the streets in large numbers; for example,to protest electoral corruption.
Real progress amidst adversity
Despite these challenges,Ukraine has made real progress against corruption. Those were discussed at the conference,such as:
- Establishment of institutions,such as The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU),the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO),and the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC).
- The e-declaration system is used by Ukrainian public officials to declare their properties and incomes. This move increased transparency and allowed the wealth of individual officials to be subject to public scrutiny.
- The ProZorro Public Procurement System.
- Legal reforms,such as the whistleblower protection law of 2019,aim to protect and incentivise more people to report corruption,especially after hearing more people come forward to report on corruption activities.
Civil society and media engagement
Ukraine has a vibrant civil society and independent media,thanks to which important civil services are empowered. Military service and active NGOs help to create public consciousness,putting pressure on crime.
During the conference, Ukraine-Expert and former MEP Rebecca Harms emphasized that anti-corruption in Ukraine happened because the people of Ukraine wanted it to happen,especially after the revolution of dignity.u202f
Speakers drew attention to challenges: When HAAC started,it only had six months before COVID-19 paralysed public life,and once things retued to normal,only six months were left before Russia started the full war. Despite that,HACC has processed 200 high-profile cases,40% with plea agreements,which never happened earlier,reported Bohdan Kryklyvenko,Chief of Staff,to the head of HACC.
Olena Halushka,a board member of the Anti-corruption Action Center from the Ukrainian NGO AntAC,claimed that the impetus to demand justice is driven primarily by Ukraine instead of being imposed by “the West.” Martina Bohuslavets,the Executive Director of the Institute of Legislative Ideas,said that despite the war and the fact that half of her team had to mobilise,they continued their anti-corruption work.
Head of the EUACI Allan Page Kristensen agreed that the environment is extremely tough; however,Ukraine has still made significant progress in its fight against corruption. Incentives for some actors in the anti-corruption field should be much better. He said a huge part of relevant legislation has been adopted in the last six months.u202f
Executive Director of Democracy Reporting Inteational Michael Meyer-Resende drew attention to a communication problem: Even reporting on successes in anti-corruption reinforces the mental association between Ukraine and corruption. He recommended that the work towards progress should continue,as Ukrainians wish.
Combatting corruption in Ukraine is not only an issue of domestic goveance,but it is also a pivotal issue of resistance to Russian aggression and its jouey toward EU membership.
The global community should continue to assist Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts by offering resources,sharing best practices,and acknowledging progress made.