Oleksiy Chernyshov, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of National Unity, made a surprise statement, announcing that he personally visited the territory of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on September 26
This information quickly spread in the media and aroused considerable interest among the public and political circles. It is important to note that such actions by an official are quite rare, because in modern Ukrainian politics, and especially in the fight against corruption, high-level representatives prefer to refrain from public contacts with law enforcement agencies or attempts to independently “deal” with accusations. As Chernyshov himself reported on his Facebook page, his decision to visit NABU was prompted by widespread rumors and gossip about potential procedural actions against him. “There were many rumors about possible procedural actions against me,” he noted. “That is why I personally arrived at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine to understand the situation,” we quote the words of the Deputy Prime Minister. He assured that his personal presence on the spot is not a sign of fear or evasion of responsibility, but rather an act of transparency and openness. “My position remains unchanged: everything must be resolved within the framework of the law. The truth must prevail,” he emphasized. Chernyshov did not hide that during the visit he was open to interaction with law enforcement officers and NABU employees, hoping to receive clear answers to his questions and contribute to the transparent investigation process. At the same time, he emphasized that his visit was not a conflict or a demonstration of disrespect for law enforcement agencies, but rather a desire for dialogue and an objective clarification of the situation. Political experts immediately drew attention to this behavior of a high-ranking official: on the one hand, it is a manifestation of openness and a desire to exclude any misunderstandings, on the other hand, it may have a political connotation, because any efforts in the context of the fight against corruption in Ukraine are currently in the spotlight of society and international partners. With his initiative, Chernyshov gave a signal that he is ready for an open dialogue with law enforcement officers and assistance in clarifying the circumstances that concern him personally or his work. It is worth noting that this event is taking place against the backdrop of a broad political and anti-corruption discourse in Ukraine. The authorities, under pressure from the public and international partners, are actively promoting a course to eradicate corruption and strengthen trust in law enforcement agencies. Chernyshov's visit to NABU, which was perceived by many as a manifestation of personal responsibility and openness, adds sharpness to this context and increases interest in further developments. In general, according to Chernyshov himself, he remains open to dialogue and cooperation, and also seeks that any issues arising regarding his activities or possible participation in any procedural actions be considered exclusively within the framework of the law and in compliance with all legal procedures. His action once again confirms the trend towards greater transparency and accountability of the Ukrainian leadership to the public and international standards in the fight against corruption.