War and Corruption in Ukraine

Abstract

The situation concerning corruption in Ukraine before the Russian invasion was not particularly encouraging: there were no significant improvements on the ground; independent, newly established, specialised anti-corruption bodies were being hindered from doing their job in every possible way. As in almost all countries participating in armed conflicts, it is entirely understandable that fighting corruption is no longer a priority now that the country is under attack. When the war is over, the Ukrainian anti-corruption framework will be weaker than it was before the war, yet it will face a series of new challenges, especially those resulting from the vast influx of material and financial support for humanitarian purposes and for the reconstruction of the country. In order to avoid a scenario in which the country, having survived the war, could become a victim of corruption, the Ukrainian government, supported by the international community, will have the important task of renewing and enhancing the activities of national anti-corruption agencies in addition to that of assisting civil society in re-engaging in its monitoring functions. In doing so, utmost attention will need to be devoted to the development of effective, transparent, and accountable mechanisms for the fair distribution of humanitarian aid and to the development of a well-planned, efficient, and rational reconstruction of the country – with little room for diverting available resources into private pockets.