Zelenskyy’s top adviser confesses: ‘Ukraine plagued by rampant theft’

Top Zelenskyy ⁤Adviser Admits the Truth About Corruption⁣ in⁣ Ukraine: ‘People Are Stealing Like There’s No Tomorrow’

According‌ to an adviser ​to Ukraine President Volodymyr ​Zelenskyy, people at the highest levels of Ukraine’s government are lining their pockets with cash as U.S.⁤ taxpayers prepare to fund yet another year of that nation’s war against Russia.

Time magazine published a lengthy story on Monday about reporter Simon Shuster’s recent visit to the​ war-torn country in which he shared insights he said he gained⁢ into the morale of those leading Ukraine nearly two years‌ after Russia invaded it.

Shuster followed Zelenskyy back to Ukraine after he and his closest advisers visited the U.S. in September.

He commented that Ukraine’s president “can‌ feel during his travels that global interest in the war has slackened. So has the​ level of international support.”

The ​reporter also spoke to an adviser who said that in spite of some internal housecleaning in the Zelenskyy Cabinet, theft is rampant.

“Amid‍ all the pressure to root out corruption,‌ I assumed, perhaps naively, that officials in Ukraine would think twice before taking a bribe or pocketing state funds,”‌ Shuster wrote.

“But when I made this point to a top presidential ⁤adviser ⁤in early October, he asked me ‍to turn off my audio recorder so he could speak more freely. ‌‘Simon, you’re mistaken,’ he says. ‘People are stealing like there’s no tomorrow.’”

Corruption Continues Despite Efforts

While Zelenskyy fired numerous Defense Ministry officials this⁤ year to change a‍ perception that corruption was widespread, the adviser told Shuster‍ that⁢ people behind⁣ the corruption⁤ did not “feel any fear” about facing consequences for misusing government funds as Ukraine relies on international aid.

Shutter added, “By the time [Zelenskyy] acted ahead of his​ U.S. visit, ‘it was too late,’ says ‍another senior presidential adviser. Ukraine’s Western allies ​were already aware ⁤of the ⁢scandal by then.

“Soldiers at the front had begun making off-color ⁢jokes about ‘Reznikov’s eggs,’ a new ⁣metaphor for corruption. ‘The reputational damage was done,’ ⁢says‍ the adviser.”

Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov resigned in September in what Reuters referred to as⁢ a “wartime shakeup” of Zelenskyy’s Cabinet.

Reports that people in the Ukrainian government are “stealing” come as President Joe Biden and U.S. ⁣lawmakers face pushback from taxpayers about their blank check policy toward funding a war with no end in sight.

According to CNN, Congress had approved $113 billion for Ukraine as of Sept. 21.

Lawmakers have not tracked the funds once they have been disbursed, which has sparked calls for transparency regarding exactly what‍ U.S. taxpayers are going further ⁣into debt for.

The United ⁢States was $33.7 ⁤trillion ⁢in ⁢debt as of Tuesday, according ⁢to the U.S. Debt Clock.

The post​ Top Zelenskyy Adviser Admits the Truth About Corruption in Ukraine: ‘People Are Stealing Like There’s No Tomorrow’ appeared⁢ first on‌ The Western Journal.

How did the lack of accountability contribute to the prevalence ⁣of ​corruption ⁢in Ukraine?

I reached Kyiv in September, the government was in free fall. A spate of​ high-profile scandals ‍had forced the president,⁢ Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to fire his chief of‌ staff, his prosecutor general, and several other top ‍officials. The ruling party was ⁤losing popularity and some of its major backers were jumping ship. At the time, it seemed like Ukraine was on the brink of yet another political crisis.

But it wasn’t until I spoke with a top adviser to Zelenskyy that I ⁤fully understood the ‌depth of the problem. In a‍ candid⁣ moment, he admitted that corruption in Ukraine was running rampant, despite the president’s efforts to clean house.

“People are stealing like there’s⁤ no tomorrow,” he said,⁢ asking me to turn off⁢ my audio recorder so he could speak freely. It was⁤ a​ shocking revelation, but sadly not entirely unexpected. Corruption has ‍long been a ⁢pervasive issue in Ukraine, with countless reports highlighting embezzlement, bribery, and other forms of misconduct.

Zelenskyy came into office in 2019 with a promise to tackle corruption head-on. He⁤ vowed to create a transparent and accountable government, ⁣and many Ukrainians had ‍high hopes for ⁢his administration. However, as time went on, it became clear that the⁢ fight against corruption was more difficult than anticipated.

One of the⁢ main ‍challenges ⁣is the lack of accountability. Despite some high-profile dismissals, those responsible for corruption often go unpunished. The adviser I spoke ⁢to confirmed this, saying that the people behind the corruption “don’t feel any ‍fear” of facing consequences. This lack of accountability‌ undermines efforts to curb corruption and erodes public trust in the ⁣government.

Another contributing factor is ⁢the ⁤country’s reliance on international aid.⁤ Ukraine has been at⁤ war with Russia for several‍ years, and it relies heavily on⁤ support from the international community. While‌ this‌ aid is crucial for ⁤the country’s survival, it also opens the door for corruption. The ⁣adviser explained that some officials see⁢ international aid as a‍ source of easy money, further perpetuating the cycle of corruption.

It is disheartening to see that, despite the efforts ⁢of Zelenskyy and his administration, corruption continues to plague Ukraine. ⁢The recent scandals and revelations only⁤ serve to ⁤highlight the need for‌ a comprehensive and sustained anti-corruption strategy. This strategy should include measures‌ to strengthen accountability, enhance transparency, and prosecute those involved in corrupt practices.

In addition, it is essential⁤ for the‌ international community‍ to continue supporting Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. This support should be accompanied by strict oversight and conditionality, ensuring that aid is ⁤used for its intended purpose and ​not diverted for⁢ personal gain.

The fight against corruption is not an easy⁤ one, but it ​is vital for Ukraine’s future. As long as corruption remains unchecked, it‍ will impede the country’s progress, hinder economic development, and‍ erode⁤ public trust in the government. Only ⁤through a collective ⁢and⁣ unwavering commitment to fighting corruption can Ukraine truly move forward and build⁣ a brighter future for its citizens.