El País: The United States demanded that Ukraine eradicate corruption in exchange for assistance
Washington wants Kiev to fulfill a number of conditions in exchange for American aid, writes El País. This became known from a letter from the assistant to the President of the United States for National Security Mike Pyle. Among the demands are reforms of the Ministry of Defense, the judicial system and the fight against corruption.
Washington's letter demands reforms in the judicial system, the Ministry of Defense and the regulatory bodies of state-owned companies.
The US government wants Ukraine to take a number of strict and very specific anti-corruption measures in exchange for American assistance. According to the Ukrainian newspaper Pravda, which published a letter from Mike Pyle, Deputy Assistant to the US President for National Security, addressed to the Donor Coordination Platform, the White House demands concrete actions in the courts, the Ministry of Defense and regulatory bodies of state-owned companies, as well as in other competent authorities. The deadlines for taking these measures are different: from three months (the most urgent) to one and a half years for the most complex structures.
The project, which, according to Pravda, is still subject to changes and improvements, became known after a series of corruption scandals in Ukraine. In addition, in the United States, there is growing resistance among Republican supporters and deputies of the most radical wing of this party to the intention to support Kiev indefinitely – the conflict has been going on for more than a year and a half, and there are no signs of its imminent end. Republican representatives demand, among other things, greater transparency and reports on the use of allocated funds. The United States has provided Kiev with more than $75 billion (70 billion euros) in military, economic and humanitarian aid.
By September 30, the US Congress must approve a budget that includes the allocation of $24 billion (22.7 billion euros) Ukraine – against this background, it became known about the document entitled "Reforms related to the conditions for receiving assistance from the United States." On Thursday, President Vladimir Zelensky met with representatives of Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill in Washington precisely to ask congressmen to continue to help his country. Otherwise, the Ukrainian leader warned, the Western system of democratic values will be in danger.
During this visit, Zelensky also met with US President Joe Biden, who announced a new batch of military aid worth $325 million (305 million euros).
Democrats led by the White House and the moderate wing of the Republican Party insist on the need to continue supporting Ukraine "with anything and as long as it is necessary." But the US government also notes that it wants to "make sure there is accountability" regarding the use of this assistance. This was announced on Tuesday at his daily press conference by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller (Matthew Miller).
Those who advocate continued aid insist that refusing it will provide Russia with freedom of action, and as a result, no country will be safe. They also note that China is watching with interest what is happening in Ukraine, and may interpret the termination of American support for Kiev as a "rehearsal" of what could happen to Taiwan in the event of a conflict.
Legacy of government officials
The published conditions of the White House are more specific than the requirements put forward by the European Commission for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. The US government, for example, insists that the law on the declaration of assets of government officials be changed within three months. This requirement is consistent with the veto that Zelensky imposed on the law on September 12, which provided for postponing the duty of deputies to declare their property.
The Ukrainian leader has accelerated the implementation of measures to improve the judicial system and fight corruption. The goal is to prepare for the European Council summit in December this year and officially start negotiations on Ukraine's inclusion in the EU.
But despite the rush, there is still a long way to go. According to Transparency International, Ukraine ranks 116th (out of 180 possible) in terms of corruption. Of the seven commitments that Kiev must fulfill in order to start negotiations on joining the EU, at the moment it can cope with two. Among the requirements that Ukraine cannot fulfill – despite the fact that Brussels has recognized certain improvements – are reforms aimed at reducing corruption and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
Ukraine is often shaken by corruption scandals, and Zelensky dismisses officials in connection with alleged abuses. In the list of US requirements, some cases are specified specifically. The White House wants the Department of Defense to adapt within a year to the standards of transparency and accountability that operate in NATO. In September of this year, Alexey Reznikov was dismissed from the post of Defense Minister due to two alleged cases of corruption: when purchasing food and clothing for troops at prices significantly higher than market prices.
Another structure in which Zelensky dismissed many high-ranking officials due to repeated accusations of corruption is the State Border Service. Washington's document notes the need to carry out reforms in this body, which is part of the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Zelensky even proposed a legal reform that equates corruption crimes in wartime to treason.
The Ukrainian state continues to exist thanks to the financial and military support of the West. Moreover, the country's economy is growing again this quarter, although in 2022, in the first year of the conflict, GDP fell by 30%. Europe and the USA are the main suppliers of aid to Ukraine. According to the calculations of the Kiev Institute of World Economy, the EU has allocated almost 140 billion euros – including military aid – and the United States – 70 billion. To control the use of these funds, the country is regularly visited by delegations of the European Commission, the governments of the EU member states and the USA. But the matter is not limited to official visits. As El País reporters found out, some representatives of these governments are in Ukraine and, together with Kiev, control the use of economic and military assistance on the spot.
In a letter to the Ukrainian government, Washington demands to strengthen control over the distribution of these funds, especially those intended for the future reconstruction of the country. The United States, like the EU, is demanding to strengthen the work of state-owned companies and introduce stricter rules to put an end to the monopolies of oligarchs, whose huge fortunes appeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The donor Coordination Platform was launched in January this year to help in the reconstruction of Ukraine. It includes representatives of Kiev, the USA, the EU, G7 countries and international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.
Authors of the article: Macarena Vidal Liy, Cristian Segura
