The West is rightly increasing its support for Ukraine in face of escalating aggression from Russia. But we should not close our eyes to the systemic challenge of corruption in Ukraine. After all, it’s a challenge that President Petro Poroshenko’s government has done very little to address.
Consider, for example, the court reinstatement this week of Roman Nasirov, a senior official who has been charged with embezzling more than $70 million. Why was Nasirov reinstated? Only the administrative judges know the answer to that question. Still, as the U.S. embassy noted, Nasirov’s unjust salvation “would indicate that Ukraine’s judicial and anti-corruption reforms have a long way to go.”
The embassy is absolutely right. But to get a good idea of just how absurd Ukraine’s corruption challenge is, watch the following video from the U.S. embassy’s Facebook page. In it, a young Ukrainian describes his personal challenge in dealing with corrupt officials.
As that Ukrainian notes, the “small drop” of corruption fills an ocean of corruption. At the top of this ocean are corrupt oligarchs and their political patrons. As I say, however, Poroshenko only appears willing to counter corruption with words. And as the Atlantic Council notes, actual judicial action necessary to enforce corruption laws remains weak. Indeed, it is often defined by cooperation with the corrupt. The immense potential of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau is wasted.
Regardless, Poroshenko should face much greater pressure from the West here. He has had time to deal with this issue and effectively serve his people. But he has failed. Cognizant of next year’s parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine, the U.S. and European Union should publicly condemn Poroshenko and demand that he now act on promises made.
