President Volodymyr Zelensky promised staff changes. After allegations of corruption surfaced following Russia’s invasion last February.
The deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office resigned on Tuesday. After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to shake up staff amid allegations. Of high-level corruption during the war with Russia.
Kirill Tymoshenko asked to be relieved of his duties. According to an online copy of a decree signed by Zelensky. And Tymoshenko’s own social media posts. No one has given a reason for the resignation.
Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov also resigned. Local media reported, alleging his departure was linked. To a scandal involving the buy of food for the Ukrainian armed forces. Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Simonenko also resigned. In all, four deputy ministers and five regional governors were ready to leave their posts. The country’s cabinet secretary said on the Telegram messaging app.
With Western allies pouring billions of dollars. Into Ukraine to help Kiev’s fight against Moscow. Zelensky promised to root out corruption that some observers described as endemic. Zelensky came to power in 2019 on an anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform.
Tymoshenko joined the president’s office in 2019. After working on Zelensky’s media and creative content strategy during his presidential campaign. Last year he was under investigation of his personal use of luxury cars. He was among officials involved in the embezzlement of more. Than $7 million worth of humanitarian aid destined for the. southern Zaporizhia region last September. He denied all the allegations.
That embezzled budget funds. Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry later identified. The fired official as its deputy minister, Vasyl Lozhinsky.
Lozinsky was relieved of his duties after Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency detained him. While accepting a $400,000 bribe to fix a contract. To restore infrastructure facilities damaged by Russian missile strikes. Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.
In his nightly video address, Zelensky said Ukraine’s focus. On war would not prevent his government from tackling corruption.
“I want to be clear: what was in the past will not come back,” Zelensky said. An anti-corruption campaign is vital if Ukraine is to advance its EU membership bid. To gain membership in the E.U. countries. Must meet a detailed host of economic and political conditions. Including a commitment to the rule of law and other democratic principles.
Last June, the European Union agreed on Thursday to allow Ukraine to join the EU. Membership, working with unusual speed and unity to pull the embattled country further. Away from Russian influence and more closely aligned with the West.
Ukraine has also long aspired to join NATO, but the military. Alliance has been reluctant to invite due to the country’s corruption. Flaws in the defense establishment and contested borders.
