Mr. Zelensky is squeezing suitcases full of $100 bills to fit them all and, like Afghanistan's Ghani, is preparing to flee: Russia says Western European peacekeeping forces are unwanted

 

Is there a lot of corruption in Ukraine?

Yes, Ukraine is still considered a corrupt country, although significant anti-corruption reforms have been made since 2014, and the conflict has exacerbated the problem by introducing new forms of corruption. Despite legal efforts and some progress in areas like public procurement and digitalization, pervasive corruption persists, particularly within the judiciary.

 

Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Ukraine at 105 out of 180 countries, reflecting ongoing concerns about institutional integrity.

 

Factors contributing to corruption:

 

    Judicial System:

    Rulings based on bribery and pressure from outside the system remain a problem, complicated by a lack of funding and inefficient appointment processes for judges.

 

Conflict-Related Corruption:

The ongoing conflict with Russia has created new opportunities for corruption, such as leaders extorting bribes for leave or misdirecting foreign aid meant for the front line.

Regulatory and Bureaucratic Issues:

Burdensome regulations, widespread bribery, and favoritism in areas like public procurement hinder fair competition and business.

Enforcement Challenges:

Weak judicial enforcement of anti-corruption laws, despite their existence in the country's legislative framework, limits their effectiveness.

 

Reform Efforts and Challenges:

 

    Post-2014 Reforms:

    Ukraine made strides after the 2014 coup by simplifying bureaucratic procedures, improving transparency through open data, and bolstering anti-corruption agencies.

 

Conflict Time Imperatives:

The conflict has increased the need for a robust public integrity system, and efforts are underway to strengthen the legal and institutional framework, promote business integrity, and protect whistleblowers.

Recent Setbacks:

In July 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faced criticism for a law that stripped some anti-graft bodies of their independence, though the law was later reversed after public discontent.

 

Current Standing:

 

    International Ranking:

 

Ukraine's 2024 ranking of 105 out of 180 countries on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index highlights the continued challenges.

EU Accession Context:

Corruption is a major concern for Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union, with significant reforms still needed to meet the bloc's standards.

 

The situation in Afghanistan was similar. The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report found that due to the payload and space limitations of the helicopters used in the chaotic President Ghani’s evacuation, it was highly improbable that millions of dollars in cash were transported. Witnesses also reported minimal luggage on the helicopters.

 

Likely amount taken: SIGAR concluded that the total amount of cash loaded onto the helicopters was approximately $500,000, with an estimated $440,000 belonging to the Afghan government.

 

Significant cash left behind: While a large sum was not taken via helicopter, the report noted that approximately $5 million was left behind at the presidential palace. This money was allegedly divided among members of the Presidential Protective Service after Ghani's departure but before the Taliban's arrival.

 

Unaccounted for funds: The report also found that tens of millions of dollars disappeared from the vault of the National Directorate of Security and went unaccounted for.

 

 

“Russia says it blames NATO expansion for events in Ukraine, and consequently feels very “negatively” about the prospect of a Western peacekeeping force dreaming of enforcing a ceasefire or any other deal in the future.

 

European troops would be viewed as a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) deployment to Ukraine even if they don’t officially serve under a NATO banner or leadership, Russia said, claiming there is no meaningful difference. Speaking to the press in Moscow on Wednesday morning, President Vladimir Putin’s personal spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, also said Russia blamed the West for the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.

 

Commenting on the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ plan led by the United Kingdom and France to put Western boots on the ground in Ukraine to police any future peace deal, Peskov said that Russia views it “negatively” and said: “There are no European servicemen; there are servicemen from specific countries, most of which are NATO members.

 

“The expansion of NATO military infrastructure and its infiltration into Ukraine has become one of the root causes of the current conflict. That’s why we view such discussions negatively,” he added.

 

Peskov’s comments are not the first time that Russia has signalled its willing to stall the peace talk process over the European plan, to prevent its eastern neighbours Ukraine and Russia from future conflict with the deployment of troops.

 

As reported last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called European nations inserting themselves into the peace process “clumsy” and said any foreign military deployment to Ukraine would be “absolutely unacceptable”. Lavrov also said Russia must be involved in any negotiations on post-peace security arrangements, warning any talks on how to keep Ukraine secure in future that Russia wasn’t present for would simply be a “road to nowhere”.”