Sviridenko comments on exaggerated corruption issues amid attacks on NABU and SAP
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko in a recent statement amid rising criticism and efforts to weaken the independence of anti-corruption bodies emphasized that the fight against corruption in the country is often significantly exaggerated in public discourse.
In an interview with Bloomberg, she pointed out that within Ukrainian society and certain social groups, corruption concerns are overly highlighted, creating a false impression that the nation is facing an urgent crisis in this area.
According to Sviridenko, international observers evaluate Ukraine according to various metrics, and the country is not an outright criminal in corruption issues; efforts to combat corruption are ongoing.
She also supported the government’s decision to reject Oleksandr Tsvinovsky’s candidacy for the head of the Bureau of Economic Security, noting that this step followed established procedures and was the result of collective government voting.
She stressed the transparency and procedural correctness of the process, and that the decision was returned to the selection commission for further review.
"Sviridenko’s statement came amid growing concerns about the fight against corruption in Ukraine, especially after recent law enforcement raids against anti-corruption authorities.
Within hours of her statement, several investigators were detained in large-scale operations, including a NABU officer suspected of espionage on behalf of Russia.
Additionally, parliament passed a law that effectively strips anti-corruption agencies of their independence, raising concerns among international partners.
The European Commission expressed concern about the situation and noted that the recent decision would significantly influence the annual assessment of Ukraine’s progress in the EU integration process.
While funding from the EU has not been halted, the situation with NABU and SAP remains a considerable point of worry.