Zelenskiy issues fresh corruption warning

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he would tolerate no corruption or treachery in affairs of state while his country is struggling to find the means to defend itself against Russian invaders.

Zelenskiy made anti-corruption appeals in his nightly video address as two landmark cases came to light – the arrests of a military recruitment official accused of mass embezzlement and of a parliamentarian accused of collaborating with Russia.
The president last month announced plans to audit military draft offices to try to eliminate corruption.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses lawmakers in Kyiv, Ukraine 28 June 2023. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he would tolerate no corruption or treachery in affairs of state while his country is struggling to find the means to defend itself against Russian invaders. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters

“Let me warn all members of parliament, officials and everyone working as a civil servant,” he said.

“When you spend days on end looking for weapons for the country, when everyone’s attention is fixed on whether there is artillery, missiles and drones, you feel the moral strength our soldiers have given Ukraine.

Zelenskiy, addressing members of parliament, said he would no longer tolerate those who “because of some sort of personal gain” refuse to back legislation needed for Ukraine to begin its long campaign to secure EU membership.

“I no longer want to see any such refusals,” he said. “No one wants to see that. Ukraine has no more time for that.”