A major challenge when writing on the situation within Ukraine for example is that most analysis and/or reporting will be focused like a laser beam on one precise situation while other issues avoid the spotlight.
Currently the major focus on Ukraine is the current conflict with Russia. This conflict which is close to entering its fifteenth month shows no sign of ending soon either by a victory by one party nor through a negotiated settlement. However, what is lurking below the surface within Ukraine?
It is not unusual for illicit economies and other corruption to take place during a conflict. So what happens when not just one but two events take place in a country that highlight concerns regarding potential corruption? Or will some media outlets report on these events?
What happened? The first situation that was highlighted was an incident that was caught by the government. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that they along with the Economic Security Bureau (BEB) had uncovered a scheme that operated between 2016 and 2022 and stole up to 485 Million USD. by businessman Dmitro Firtash along with top managers of businesses that he controls in the gas transit system. The SBU has announced that they have served Mr. Firtash and the other managers with “notices of suspicion” of embezzlement.
This is not the first legal action that has been taken against Mr Firtash by Kyiv. Last June sanctions were levied against him as it was determined that he sold titanium products that were determined to be used by Russian Military Enterprises to be used against the Ukranians. He is also under indictment in the United States as well on bribery and racketeering Charges. Mr. Firtash has denied charges in these legal actions as well and is currently fighting extradition from Vienna.
In the second instance Vsevolod Knyzaev the Chief Justice of the Ukrainian Supreme Court was removed from his post after a vote by other justices overwhelmingly called for his removal. He has been accused of taking bribes of a reported 2.7 Million USD. The allegation is that the bribe was procured for ensuring a verdict in a case involving the Financing and Credit group owned by Konstiantyn Zhevago. It has been assumed that this arrest is part of an effort to pressure the Supreme Court. The justice would then be arrested in a move announced by anti-corruption bodies. Mr. Knyzaev does currently retain his position on the court and can be removed by the High Court of Justice.
Why are these events newsworthy? Ukraine is attempting to join the European Union (EU) and one of the criteria that has to be addressed before joining the group is dealing with corruption. Some businessmen have been able to gain political influence in the time from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Ukraine. The current hostilities with Russia provides both a challenge and an impetus to achieve this goal.
While there will be criticism levied about the overall situation in Ukraine these efforts are the initial steps towards strengthening the institutions within Ukraine. Convictions and restitutions are the next dominos that need to fall to ensure that Corruption is being addressed.
Of course the next answer may come when Ukraine has their next Presidential Elections.
