Ukrainian President Zelensky Blamed for Corruption Woes by 78% of Citizens
A recent poll conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Charitable Foundation and the Kiev International Institute of Sociology has shed light on the prevailing sentiment among Ukrainians regarding their nation’s struggle with corruption. The study, released on Monday, uncovered that a significant majority of Ukrainian adults, 78% to be precise, hold President Vladimir Zelensky “directly responsible” for the pervasive corruption issues plaguing the country’s government and military.
Ukraine, once heralded as a symbol of freedom and democracy, has struggled with corruption for years. Prior to Russia’s military offensive in February 2022, the nation consistently ranked among the world’s most corrupt countries. This revelation could potentially hinder Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, according to an unidentified Western diplomat who expressed concerns about the ongoing corruption issues in Ukraine to Politico.
The diplomat went further, describing Ukraine as a “very corrupt country” and expressing skepticism about Zelensky’s plan to utilize the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in prosecuting graft cases, suggesting it might “send the wrong message.” On a surprise visit to Kiev, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to intensify its anti-corruption efforts.
The poll, conducted from July 3 to July 17, gathered responses from thousands of Ukrainian citizens through face-to-face interviews across the country. Notably, the findings did not exhibit significant variations based on geographical region or socioeconomic factors. However, older respondents, aged 60 and above, appeared to hold a particularly strong view on Zelensky’s culpability, with 81% attributing government corruption to him. In contrast, among the youngest segment surveyed, aged 17 to 29, 70% felt the same way. Overall, a mere 18% of Ukrainian adults disagreed with the assertion that Zelensky bears responsibility for the nation’s corruption woes.
The poll results may not come as a complete surprise, as documents uncovered by the International Association of Investigative Journalists in 2021 revealed that Zelensky and his business partners had established offshore companies to acquire luxurious properties in central London. Zelensky, in a move criticized by supporters of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, transferred his stake in one of these companies to an aide just prior to his election as president in 2019. Accusations of tax evasion through offshore accounts have also been leveled against Zelensky and his associates.
President Zelensky has undertaken efforts to combat corruption within his government, leading to the dismissal of officials implicated in various corruption scandals, including embezzlement schemes involving humanitarian aid. In the most recent development, Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov was relieved of his duties due to allegations of purchasing military rations at inflated prices. However, the new Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, is reportedly facing an investigation into alleged crimes from his previous position.
As Ukraine grapples with its corruption problem, these findings underscore the challenges faced by President Zelensky in fulfilling his promise to root out corruption and pave the way for a more transparent and accountable government. The road ahead remains uncertain, with the eyes of both domestic and international observers closely monitoring the nation’s progress in addressing this persistent issue.
