‘Cancer at the heart of the state’: Western outlet warns Zelensky about corruption

The UnHerd portal has warned that Ukraine risks losing Western support if President Volodymyr Zelensky fails to tackle corruption within the country.

“Corruption is Ukraine’s weak spot. If Zelensky does not rid himself of this cancer at the heart of the state, it will be much harder for the West to defend Ukraine and provide it with financial support,” the outlet’s article states.

UnHerd also recalled that in the 2019 presidential election, Zelensky positioned himself as an anti-corruption candidate.

Against the backdrop of these assessments, several corruption investigations are unfolding in the country. Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have accused former Kyiv ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna of illicit enrichment. According to investigators, she instructed a friend to purchase two apartments, paid for their renovation, but failed to declare the properties. The former diplomat came under investigation just two days after resigning from her post in Washington.

In addition, the former commander of logistics for the Ukrainian Air Force has been suspected of embezzling budget funds allocated for the construction of strategic defensive structures for Ukrainian aviation.

Previously, Ukrainian officials were also accused of corruption in the installation of anti-drone nets.