Blinken names five key reforms for Ukraine and how the US can help

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a
video address to a conference on reform in Ukraine being held in Vilnius on July
6-7. In the speech, Blinken named five ways the Ukrainian government can
leverage its existing progress and in what ways the U.S. can help,
interfax.com.ua reported. They include ensuring the transparent selection of
judges and ensuring that the leadership of governmental anti-corruption
entities are selected in a manner that is “transparent, credible, and based on
merit.” Passing legislation on both corporate governance that complies with
OECD standards as well as on the reform of the SBU are needed. Lastly, bring
corrupt top officials to justice. 

James Hydzik: The
conference is important for laying out the expectations of all partners before
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Volodymyr Zelensky visit
Washington. The level of coordination and laying clear of the current situation
are the strongest indicators in a long time that Ukraine’s partners are
developing a roadmap for Ukraine that includes energy, military and commercial
integration, but also includes sometimes painful reforms that, if not enacted,
would probably result in further pain from other quarters.

So far, very little is being done at the public
diplomacy level that impacts Zelensky’s core relationship – that being the one
with his voting base. Perhaps the Zelensky government is waiting for the
EU/NATO/U.S. and others to sell the reform idea to his voters. If current
domestic events regarding reform and investigations are an indication, there is
little will from the Ukrainian side.