Corruption still rife in Ukraine, expert admits
Kadri Liik, an Estonian senior policy fellow at London-based European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) told ERR that corruption is still a natural way of conducting business in Ukraine.
Liik, who recently visited Ukraine and met also with the country's President, Petro Poroshenko, said that corruption is still a major issue in a conflict-ridden state.
But Liik said on a positive note that she also met many people who don't regard corruption normal and are fighting against it.
“There are many Ukrainian MPs and state officials who have a plan and want to take measures against dishonest conduct, but it is an uphill struggle, because the public administration is not up to its task yet. The Ukrainian Parliament passes necessary laws, but the country is lacking those who could implement them,” Liik said.
Liik said that President Poroshenko is in a confident mood and will not intend to consult Moscow in regards to the constitutional status of Donetsk and Luhansk districts.
“If you remember, one of the clauses in the Minsk II peace agreement said that the constitutional reform in Ukraine will result in decentralization, after which particular districts in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts will have a special status. Kremlin would like to interpret it as the federalization, but Poroshenko said that he shall not consult Moscow over Ukrainian constitutional reform,” Liik said, adding that the Ukrainian president will stick to the Minsk agreement according to his interpretation, provided that the West will support him.
Editor: S. Tambur