He is in the middle of a war against Russia. But at home, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is fighting widespread corruption. Today, a large number of deputy ministers and governors had to resign. In addition, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, one of President Zelenskyi’s close associates, had to resign. The 33-year-old is deputy head of the president’s office, and has been criticized for living a life of luxury and for buying expensive cars. He denies the accusations, but has handed in his resignation. Deputy head of the president’s office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, handed in his resignation today. Photo: KYRYLO TYMOSHENKO VIA TELEGRAM / Reuters Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov also rejects accusations that he bought food for the Ukrainian soldiers at too high a price – and took part of the cake himself. Shapovalov also had to retire today. Vows fight against corruption Today, four deputy ministers, five governors and the deputy head of the prosecutor’s office in Ukraine were fired or resigned. Among them are: Deputy Minister of Development and Municipalities Ivan Lukery Deputy Minister of Development and Municipalities Vyacheslav Negoda Deputy Minister of Social Policy Vitaliy Muzychenk Deputy Minister of Defense Viacheslav Shapovalov Deputy Head of the Prosecutor’s Office Oleskyij Symonenko Governors of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kyiv, Sumy and Kherson In his last speech, Zelenskyj announced several replacements and continued fight against corruption. – I want to make it clear that there is no way back to the way things worked before, Zelenskyj said. Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov had to go after accusations of corruption in connection with the purchase of food for Ukrainian soldiers. Photo: AP The EU demands less corruption Before Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February last year, cases of corruption were not uncommon in Ukraine. According to Transparency International, Ukraine is one of the world’s most corrupt countries: In 2021, Ukraine was in 122nd place on the organisation’s list of corrupt states. The fight against corruption is also one of the EU’s most important requirements for Ukraine to become a member of the EU. Since the war started, there have been fewer known cases of corruption, writes The Guardian. But recently, the media has revealed several cases. – I am grateful to the journalists who have looked at the facts and put together a complete picture of the case, Zelenskyj said in his speech. When he won the presidential election in 2019, the fight against corruption was one of Zelenskyi’s most important issues. Last week, Ukraine lost its interior minister in a helicopter crash. Here from the funeral on 21 January. Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP Fires deputy leader The deputy leader of Zelenskyi’s political party, Pavlo Halimon, also resigns following accusations of corruption. Halimon has not commented on the allegations. The Ukrainian website Pravda revealed on Monday that he allegedly bought apartments in Kyiv for a larger sum than he owns. The leader of Zelenskyi’s party, Davyd Arakhamia, says it goes against the party’s values. – If you are a politician and have a few extra millions, then you should help your country. It is your duty, says Arakhami, according to The Guardian. Money gone from the winter budget Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Vasyl Lozinskyj resigned at the weekend. He is accused of having stolen 400,000 dollars, close to 4 million kroner, from Ukraine’s winter budget. According to Ukrainian media, Lozinskyj should have priced generators too high and then taken part of the profit. The country is in the middle of a war where the infrastructure is hit hard and with bitter winter cold in many places.
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Zelenskyj replaces several ministers – news Urix – Foreign affairs news and documentaries
