According to a Chatham House survey, Ukrainians hardly trust their government for the reconstruction phase. While feeling victims by long-established corruption rings, citizens of Ukraine must not lose a chance to gain a higher standard in public policy accountability and effectiveness. Indeed, tackling corruption and enhancing transparency in decision-making and policy action is a prerequisite to considering applying for EU membership.

Corruption in Ukraine has deep roots in the country’s history, stemming from the Soviet Union era. During this time, grand corruption was rampant, with government leaders embezzling millions of dollars, leaving little for essential public services. The corruption problem in Ukraine is complex and has been a long-standing issue. However, Russia, which frequently criticises Ukraine’s corruption problem, lacks the moral authority to do so.

According to a survey by Chatham House, public trust in the Ukrainian government is shallow. Citizens feel disadvantaged by deeply entrenched corruption networks. The conflict in Ukraine has also affected how Ukrainians perceive themselves, with many lives lost in the process. While corruption is dismaying, Ukrainians are motivated to tackle corruption by officials due to their resilience and determination in dealing with Russia. They expect public servants and politicians to take concrete actions to improve the situation.

Ukraine also needs to demonstrate to the United States and other Western contributors that it can effectively manage the substantial military and humanitarian aid provided to the country. Internationally, Ukraine’s perception regarding corruption could be much better. Transparency International ranked Ukraine as the 116th least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, scoring only 33 out of 100.

Overall, corruption in Ukraine is a deeply ingrained issue with historical roots. It has led to low public trust and negative international perception. However, there is hope that Ukrainians’ resilience and determination will drive efforts to combat corruption and improve the situation.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Ukraine has made efforts to combat corruption. President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a zero-tolerance approach, dismissing high-ranking officials on bribery allegations to promote greater accountability. In response to high-profile corruption cases, Zelensky has implemented staff reshuffles and prohibited public officials from non-official international travel. However, a legal proceeding in London involving Ukraine’s largest bank highlights that the fight against corruption still needs to be completed. The bank is attempting to recover nearly $2 billion and additional accrued interest, alleging that it was illicitly drained by its previous co-proprietors, one of whom was a long-term supporter of Zelensky.

Zelensky has severed ties with this individual under scrutiny for money laundering and fraud allegations to demonstrate his commitment to eradicating corruption. Despite these efforts, the ongoing trial in the British High Court serves as a reminder that Ukraine’s mission to establish transparent and accountable institutions is still a work in progress. Nevertheless, Ukraine must continue its fight against corruption as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion.

Transparency, accessibility, and disclosure are vital aspects of this project. Transparency allows for public scrutiny and accountability, making legislative processes and decisions open to the general public. Accessibility ensures that stakeholders have access to parliamentary documents, enabling their active participation in democratic processes. Disclosure involves sharing information that the public should know, providing citizens are informed about the actions of their elected representatives. The Parliamentary Reform Project will work towards clear and timely communication of critical parliamentary activities and decisions to the public.

Enhancing accountability is crucial in the fight against corruption, and Ukraine has implemented several innovative solutions to promote transparency. One such solution is the eHealth system, launched in 2017 to revolutionise the medical sector. This electronic healthcare system automates medical services’ accounting and efficiently manages medical information digitally. By allowing citizens to schedule appointments online, receive electronic prescriptions, and access their electronic medical cards, eHealth has improved transparency and reduced corruption in the health sector.

Promoting transparency in government operations and decision-making processes is also essential in preventing corruption. Open data policies have been recognised among OECD member states, but data availability varies from country to country and sector to sector. Ukraine has tried to enhance transparency, as it understands that transparency makes corruption less appealing and easier to detect.

One notable initiative in Ukraine is the Prozorro electronic public procurement system, launched in 2016. Prozorro operates under the principle “Everyone sees everything” and provides complete transparency in public spending. By streamlining the procurement process and allowing the public to see how taxpayers’ money is spent, Prozorro promotes accountability and reduces corruption. It has announced over 15 million tenders worth approximately UAH 4.3 trillion since its inception and has been recognised as the world’s most transparent public procurement system.

The effectiveness of Prozorro in promoting transparency and preventing crime in public procurement has been acknowledged by the United States, which has highlighted it as a model for countering corruption. The World Bank has also recommended Prozorro as a benchmark for other countries looking to enhance transparency in their public procurement systems.

Ukraine’s initiatives, such as eHealth and Prozorro, demonstrate the potential of digital solutions in enhancing accountability, combating corruption, and promoting transparency. These innovative systems have proven effective in improving transparency in the health sector and public procurement, setting an example for other countries seeking to address corruption issues.

Corruption is a significant challenge facing Ukraine; its current form threatens national security. Corruption undermines the rule of law by eroding public trust, jeopardising Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and its aspiration to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It also lowers productivity, perpetuates poverty, harms the environment, and stifles economic growth.

The corruption problem in Ukraine is more complex than most people realise. First, it needs to be clarified how corrupt individual officials are. Second, it needs to be explained how corrupt institutions are, whether identified or not. Third, the scale of corruption in Ukraine is massive and well-documented. And yet, it is still being determined how many of these corruption cases are being investigated and whether they are being adequately prosecuted. The persistent lack of an independent judiciary will be a significant obstacle to tackling corruption in Ukraine.

Fighting corruption will be at the heart of Ukraine’s reconstruction, but simply focusing on technical or top-down reforms is unlikely to be effective. Instead, the Ukrainian government and donors must take decisive action, prosecute corrupt individuals, and foster resilience throughout Ukrainian society.

While the journey is undeniably steep, it is a path towards transparency and accountability that Ukraine must inevitably embark upon. This mission will root out corruption and foster a robust democracy where the rule of law prevails. Adopting and integrating new technologies will streamline processes, minimise loopholes for corrupt practices, and ensure more openness in public dealings.

Moreover, securing adequate funding for independent anti-corruption agencies will fortify their autonomy and stability, allowing them to perform their duties more efficiently. As Ukraine looks towards the EU and OECD for guidance on best practices, it must simultaneously work towards ingraining this culture of legality into its societal fabric. This transformation is an existential challenge for the Ukrainian government and a fundamental requirement for its membership accession.

The path towards democracy is not quickly paved, but Ukraine can overcome all hurdles with persistent commitment and determination. In the fight against corruption, the country has the backing of the international community and its civil society, both of whom have vested interests in seeing a transparent, accountable Ukraine thriving under the rule of law. Tangible change comes from within; hence, every step taken in this direction brings Ukraine closer to becoming a beacon of transparency and accountability in an era where such values are highly cherished and rewarded.