US sends demarche calling on Ukraine to double down on its fight against corruption
Pravda Ukraine
In recent weeks the United States has called on Ukraine to make more efforts to fight government corruption, linking them to further non-military support, including through a diplomatic note.
Source: CNN with reference to US officials, as reported by European Pravda
Details: CNN sources emphasised that all forms of American assistance, except military aid, could be threatened if Ukraine does not do more to overcome corruption.
Quote: “The message to the Ukrainians has always been that if any of these funds are misappropriated, then it jeopardizes all US aid to the country,” one US official stated.
CNN also managed to find out about the diplomatic note sent by the US Department of State. It says that Washington expects further efforts from Ukraine in the fight against corruption and financial transparency to continue direct financial support.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the demarche also emphasised the necessity for Ukraine to carry out important reforms mandated by its IMF programme, including those pertaining to AML/CFT (anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism).
Earlier, Politico also reported on the Joe Biden administration’s greater concern about corruption in Ukraine, which was reflected in a classified strategy towards the state.
Among other things, according to media reports, the document expresses concern that corruption could induce Ukraine’s Western allies to abandon its support amid the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.
According to a Politico source, the Biden administration is in discussions with Ukrainian authorities about the possibility of tying future financial assistance to “reforms to tackle corruption and make Ukraine a more attractive place for private investment”.
The US Embassy reported that it has indeed handed over a “list of priority reforms” that Ukraine must implement in order “to integrate into Europe”.
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