Despite Russia’s War, the Fight Against Corruption Continues

"If corruption continues, what is it then that our soldiers are fighting for". These words of a government official represent a sentiment shared by many Ukrainians who want to create an even better and less corrupt society after Ukraine’s victory. 

A vision also shared and further elaborated by many of the prominent Ukrainian and foreign personalities that gave interviews during the excellent project "Ukraine Now: A Vision for the Future" conducted by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, NACP, with the support of the EUACI.

A less corrupt society will not come by itself. However, Ukraine might be in a good position to make progress in this direction.

An important instrument on that path is the ambitious National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2021-2025) that was approved in June 2022, just two days before Ukraine was granted EU candidate status. 

A 500 pages State Program has been prepared to ensure the implementation of the strategy. If this program is implemented as foreseen, it will create a new and strong momentum in the fight against corruption. We at the EUACI stand ready to support.

The State Program focuses on a further strengthening of the anticorruption infrastructure, and it also includes action to prevent and address corruption in specific sectors, like the judiciary, defense, healthcare, education, infrastructure and land management.

The last two will be especially important to ensure transparency and integrity during the reconstruction of Ukraine. An issue is high on the agenda of the international donors. It is also not less important for the Ukrainians, who are paying such a high price in the war against Russia and in the protection of their democratic values and rights.

The NACP is now submitting the State Program to the Cabinet of Ministers for the second time. It should be approved sooner rather than later, to get the ball rolling and begin a new and even more ambitious phase of Ukraine’s anti-corruption work. It will also make an important contribution to Ukraine’s EU-preparation in the field of anti-corruption and, thus, send a strong political signal to the EU member States.

The State Program was elaborated as part of an inclusive process – a whole of government approach – led by the NACP and involving all relevant stakeholders; ministries, agencies and other state bodies.

Consultations with civil society representatives, experts and international partners took place. This is a practical example of Good Governance. It reminds me of how we in Denmark would organize work on a strategic political and horizontal issue, seeking coherence in the decision-making process and ensuring a long-term approach.

The anti-corruption infrastructure created after the Revolution of Dignity will have a key role to play in the implementation of the State Program. When I talk to my colleagues abroad, they are often surprised to learn that the anti-corruption institutions continue to fulfil their mandates despite the war.

The air alerts and explosions, staff in the army, hours and days without electricity and significant budget cuts, have not prevented the institutions from doing their work. I get the impression that their staff are now even more dedicated.

As an illustration of the high level of activity, some of the institutions processed more cases last year than the year before.

For example, the High Anti-Corruption Court considered 49 cases in 2022 against 48 the year before, and together the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine handed over 193 suspicions in 2022 against 124 the year before. Meanwhile, top corruption investigations and court hearings took place under any conditions, not a single case was closed because of the war.

With the implementation of the State Program, supported by an even stronger and more resilient anti-corruption infrastructure, Ukraine will be in a good place to realize the vision of an even better society with less corruption.

By the Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine, the EUACI, Allan Pagh Kristensen