”The allegations are very serious”. That’s what the Swedish government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say regarding the corruption revelations shaking the Ukrainian government.
Last week, Ukraine’s Minister of Justice, Herman Halusjtjenko, was fired after being accused of involvement in an extensive corruption scandal, where billions are suspected to have been laundered through a criminal syndicate operating within the country’s energy sector.
READ ALSO: Ukraine’s Minister of Justice fired after corruption accusations
Former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksij Tjernysjov, former Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov, and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s former business partner Timur Mindich are other prominent names mentioned by Ukraine’s anti-corruption authority NABU in its investigation.
Government response
Samnytt previously contacted Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), the Swedish government, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get a comment on the corruption revelations. The reason is that Sweden and Swedish taxpayers have paid or promised nearly 180 billion Swedish kronor in support to the war-torn country.
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On Monday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press office responded to the questions in an unsigned email to Samnytt.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes that: ”The allegations are very serious and it is crucial that Ukraine thoroughly investigates suspicions of any improprieties”.
At the same time, the government argues that Ukraine has ”made progress in reform efforts, including work against corruption”. And the government ”emphasizes Sweden’s continued support for Ukraine on its path towards EU membership”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response in full
We are aware of the allegations of suspected corruption in a major Ukrainian energy company. The allegations are very serious and it is crucial that Ukraine thoroughly investigates suspicions of any improprieties.
In the Swedish support to Ukraine’s hard-hit energy sector, no financial resources go directly to any energy company in Ukraine. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) conducts agency cooperation with the Ukrainian nuclear regulatory authority State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) and with Energoatom. The cooperation is conducted with a strong awareness of corruption risks, and SSM does not provide any money directly to Energoatom, nor does it provide equipment that can be sold or used for personal use.
Ukraine has made progress in reform efforts, including work against corruption. In discussions with Ukraine, the government emphasizes the importance of continued reforms and emphasizes Sweden’s continued support for Ukraine on its path towards EU membership.
The EU Commission, in its enlargement report, assesses that Ukraine’s progress is significant, including those made in the rule of law area. The Commission also emphasizes the importance of Ukraine continuing its anti-corruption efforts.
Sweden provides extensive support to Ukraine’s efforts to combat corruption. The support aims, among other things, to expedite adaptation to the EU’s anti-corruption regulations. Through Sida, Sweden supports, for example, the OECD’s country program in Ukraine, which helps Ukraine implement reforms, including in the anti-corruption area.