Zelensky dismisses part of his cabinet and senior officials after corruption suspicions

The Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelensky This Tuesday he dismissed senior officials from his cabinet after suspicions of corruption in issues that affect the state and its relations with partners in the midst of the war scenario in which it finds itself.

In his message issued that night, the president made it clear that "any internal problem that interferes with the state will be addressed." Furthermore, he stressed that his forceful performance "helps the relationship with the European institutions."

The restructuring of his cabinet led to the dismissal of the deputy director of the presidential office,Kirilo Timoshenko, and the vice minister of Defense,Viacheslav Shapovalov. According toThe country, both leaders had been involved in corruption scandals.

Corruption has been present in the recent history of Ukraine as one of its major socio-political problems since its independence in 1991. The former republic of the Soviet Union transitioned towards democracy in a political environment of strong clientelism, impunity for oligarchs and corruption of politicians. and state officials.

Among the causes of the popular discontent that led Ukrainians to oust the pro-Russian presidentViktor Yanukovych There was corruption and the desire to build a strong rule of law to confront that scourge with the help of the cooperation of the European Union.

In that sense, Zelensky was blunt when he stated in his speech that Ukraine will not return "to the past", when people related to state institutions or their environment took advantage of their position.

In addition to those already named, the Ukrainian president dismissed the deputy prosecutor general,Oleksiy Simonenko, who is related to Russian and pro-Russian oligarchs. Among the measures adopted, all suspects have been prohibited from leaving the country.

Ukrainian officials “will no longer be able to travel abroad for vacation or any other non-governmental purpose,” Zelensky explained.

The measure “applies to all officials of the central government and various other levels of local government. It applies to those in charge of enforcing the law, the people's deputies, prosecutors and all those who are supposed to work for the State and in the State," he specified.

Six senior government officials and five regional governors were also dismissed from their duties. "We need a strong state, and Ukraine will be one. And today, by decree, I put into effect another decision of the National Security and Defense Council. The details will be announced later," he added.

Although no details have been revealed about the alleged corruption plot involving these officials, the media speak of irregularities in the management of the funds that Ukraine receives to confront the Russian invasion, both for the supply of troops and for the reconstruction of the country and the functioning of the state.

"We will continue to take appropriate measures; our citizens will see each of them and, I am sure, will support them. Any internal problem that interferes with the state will be tackled. It is fair, it is necessary for our protection and it helps us get closer to the European institutions "the president insisted.

Zelensky's decision is made just when an important turn of events occurred this Tuesday,with Germany's decision to donate its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and to allow other countries to do the same. A decision that seems to be followed by the United States to send its Abrams to the combat front.

This country, which has given billions of dollars to Ukrainians, celebrated President Zelensky's "commitment" against corruption on Tuesday.

"The Ukrainian people want a transparent government. We celebrate the quick and decisive actions of President Zelensky, as well as the vigilance exercised by the media and civil society," said the State Department spokesperson.Ned Price in his daily press conference.