Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, stated on Monday that Kiev's Western allies may be using corruption concerns as a pretext to delay Ukraine's invitation to join the alliance.

"We speak sincerely to all partners. Corruption exists in all countries," Yermak said in an interview with Ukraine's 1+1 broadcaster. "If someone tells us we cannot get an invitation to NATO because of the level of corruption in Ukraine, then they are looking for reasons not to do it."

For months, Ukraine has voiced frustrations over delays in its bid to join NATO, a goal it considers essential for its security amid the war in Ukraine.

While reports of corruption in Ukraine, particularly within the military, have been regularly documented, Ukrainian officials argue that these issues should not impede their NATO aspirations.

An April poll by Ukrainska Pravda indicated that more than half of Ukrainians view corruption as a significant barrier to the country's development, thus reflecting the public's awareness of the issue.

'Closer than ever before'

Adding to the complexity, NATO's new Secretary General, Mark Rutte, made a surprise visit to Kiev earlier on October 3rd.

Rutte expressed optimism about Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership, stating, "Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before."

He pledged ongoing support but refrained from providing a specific timeline for when Ukraine might officially join the alliance.

"I look forward to the day when Ukraine will join NATO," Rutte said, leaving Ukraine's prospective NATO membership in limbo.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to reiterate that Ukraine's alignment with NATO would constitute a direct threat to Russian national security.

Read more: Ukraine to recruit another 160,000 into military

Corruption weakening Ukrainian military

On October 29, Ukrainian General Dmitry Marchenko, who is involved in overseeing the port city of Nikolayev, said that adaptability is a crucial prerequisite for a modern military, and Kiev's force lacks it - but not because of the troops.

"Unfortunately, our bureaucracy, our corruption, do not allow us to adapt and quickly produce what we need," he remarked, referring to Ukraine's military sector.

He bemoaned the missed opportunity to increase output between 2014 and the onset of war with Russia in early 2022. 

Marchenko asserted that some politicians and officials "skipped [that period] as if they were on recess," citing how the arms purchase efforts before 2022 "failed," but then-Defense Minister Andrey Taran was permitted to depart with accolades for his performance.

The minister dismissed as "mere speculation" suggestions that his department was unable to carry out its own plans to purchase military equipment.