Ukraine is undermining anti-corruption efforts, U.S. says

Ukraine is undermining independent anti-corruption institutions
that the U.S. and others have helped support with its recent disruption of a
high-level corruption investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau
(NABU), the arrest of its officials, and the seizure of sensitive NABU files,
the U.S. State Department said in a Dec. 4 press release. Not only do these
events “raise concerns about Ukraine’s commitment to fighting corruption,” but
they also “undermine public trust and risk eroding international support for
Ukraine,” the statement said, referring only to “Ukraine” as the source of
inteference but clearly implying the Poroshenko administration, particularly
Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko.

About 100 criminal cases investigated and prosecuted by
the NABU and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution are being held up in
Ukraine’s court system, U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch told the liga.net
news agency in an interview published on Dec. 4. This demonstrates the need to
create an independent Anti-Corruption Court, she said. The U.S. government
anticipates the necessary legislation to create the court will be approved by
parliament this month, she said, echoing the demands of the tent city protested
led by Mikheil Saakashvili. She said she was assured by the Ukrainian president
and influential politicians that this would happen.

Neither Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko, not any of
his deputies, attended the Global Forum on Asset Recovery in Washington this
week, reported journalist Natalie Sedletska on Facebook. Lutsenko was scheduled
to participate in the forum’s opening panel discussion on Dec. 4. The prior
day, Lutsenko accused the NABU of illegally working with the U.S. FBI on
Ukrainian territory.

Zenon Zawada: Such an unequivocal condemnation is merely the latest embarrassment
for the Poroshenko administration, which has disappointed the Western
establishment. This statement confirms that Western diplomats and policy makers
are concerned that Ukraine will slip back into the Russian sphere of influence
if the Poroshenko administration continues to block reforms and anti-corruption
activity. With Saakashvili possibly being deported, the U.S. will be looking
for a viable political party and presidential candidate to offer its
behind-the-scenes support in the 2019 elections. That tacit support won’t be
offered to Poroshenko and his Solidarity party.