Majority of Ukrainians blame Zelensky for widespread corruption: Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Sep 2023 22:50
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The Ukrainian government has been hit by a wave of dismissals related to military procurement, with Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov being the latest to be fired.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (AFP)

Two Ukrainian polls published on Monday showed that a vast majority of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is responsible for corruption scandals plaguing his administration.

Conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation (DIF) and partners from July 3 to 17 and from August 9 to 15, with a total of 4,000 respondents, the surveys found that 78% of Ukrainians believe that Zelensky bears "direct responsibility" for corruption in the government and military.

Though only 18% disagreed with the statement, about half believe that criticism of corruption does not destabilize Ukraine or hurt its image among Western partners, and 55% believe that the West should condition further aid on Kiev making progress in its fight against corruption.

The Ukrainian government has been hit by a wave of dismissals related to military procurement, with Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov being the latest to be fired.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Ukrainian authorities made accusations of money laundering and fraud against billionaire oligarch Igor Kolomoysky, the owner of a media holding, through which Zelensky made his rise to fame as a comedian and later as a presidential candidate.

Moreover, an investigation by a Ukranian NGO has recently found that an ex-Ukrainian recruitment officer, accused of accepting bribes from men looking to avoid military service, has bought himself a £3.4 million villa and cars in Spain.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Zelensky defended his government's record on fighting corruption, saying that the West has not stopped providing Ukraine with financial and military aid despite the allegations of corruption.

On August 11, Zelensky fired officials in charge of military conscription in each area of the nation, alleging corruption charges that might amount to treason.

In a social media post after a meeting with military leaders, the Ukrainian President explained the dismissals. He hinted that some officials were involved in cynicism and bribery, stating that the "system should be run" by people who know these actions amount to high treason during a time of war.

Kiev has been conscripting troops in order to combat Russia in a painfully slow-moving counteroffensive.