Biden warns Ukraine of “one last chance” to address corruption

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden addressed Ukraine’s parliament on Dec. 8, focusing most of his attention the two biggest threats to Ukrainian statehood, which are Russian aggression and internal corruption. He reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to defending Ukrainian sovereignty, stressing his country will never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The U.S. will keep its sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Russia until it fulfills the Minsk accords, he said. Russia needs to pressure the separatists to hold elections according to Ukrainian legislation, remove its soldiers and help restore Ukrainian control over the border. In turn, Ukraine needs to provide amnesty to those not involved in serious crimes and decentralize the Donbas government.

Regarding corruption, Biden told parliament it “eats Ukraine like a cancer” and could become Ukraine’s “death knell” if not rooted out. Efforts must extend beyond establishing an Anti-Corruption Bureau and consist of judicial reforms that will result in criminal prosecutions.

On Dec. 7, Biden pledged an extra USD 190 mln in aid with the warning that the funding could be lost without evidence of a corruption fight. “The Ukrainian people cannot once against have their hopes dashed based on the cancer of corruption,” Biden said in remarks with President Poroshenko on Dec. 7. “Once more chance. One more chance. And it’s absolutely critical for Ukraine, in order to be stable and prosperous and part of a secure Europe to definitely, thoroughly, and completely root out the cancer of corruption. The people need to see that the wats of the past are permanently gone. They no longer exist.”

Zenon Zawada: Biden has essentially given Ukraine’s leaders their last chance to get their act together or lose U.S. support. Unfortunately, we don’t see President Poroshenko or Prime Minister Yatsenyuk being capable or willing to change their corrupt ways. We expect Yatsenyuk, and possibly Poroshenko too, will be replaced next year, given the widespread dissatisfaction with their lack of leadership, both domestically and abroad. Reports have surfaced in recent weeks regarding a new political movement of reformers – possibly begin sponsored by the U.S. – to challenge the nation’s oligarchy on the political arena. This movement could be led by someone like Mikheil Saakashvili, a U.S. favorite who led painful yet quick-paced reforms in his native Georgia. The U.S. is correct to be proactive in recruiting new leaders because the other alternative of the current course is the disintegration of Ukrainian statehood. 2016 and 2017 will prove historical years in determining the future development of Russia and Ukraine.