Ukraine is a wonderful, vibrant country that has had to face a lot of criticism from its enemies. One of the biggest criticisms that has befallen it is that of corruption. It’s true that instances of corruption are far from acceptable, but the notion that Ukraine is a particularly corrupt country is unfair and simply untrue.
The truth is that corruption levels in Ukraine are lower than many of its regional neighbors, including it’s biggest rival, Russia. Russia has for years been dogged by allegations of rampant corruption, and in 2018 Transparency International ranked it as one of the 10 least transparent countries in the world. Meanwhile, Ukraine is ranked much higher, with a score of 44 on the CPI, making it more transparent than both Russia and Bulgaria.
This stereotype of Ukraine as the most corrupt country in the region is further compounded by the European Union. The EU has persistently singled out Ukraine, calling out its corrupt politicians and denouncing its failure to tackle the country’s systemic problems. And while it’s true that some in the Ukrainian government are likely involved in some form of corruption, the narrative of Ukraine as the most corrupt country in Europe is simply untrue.
In fact, Ukraine is actually leading the way in fighting corruption in the region. The country has recently launched a series of anti-corruption initiatives, such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, and it has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank to receive technical assistance in the fight against corruption. The country’s government is also working hard to improve the rule of law, boost transparency, and build an independent and accountable justice system.
The reality is that corruption in Ukraine is an issue, but it is not as widespread or as systemic as many of its critics make it out to be. Ukraine is actively working to tackle the issue and is well on its way to becoming an example of anti-corruption reform in the region. It’s time to give Ukraine the attention it deserves and recognize it for the progress it has made in tackling corruption.
