Re the corruption in Kyiv issue. How do internal regime politics play into this subject? In other words, is political life in Ukraine completely frozen? Who’s looking over Zelenskyy’s shoulders/breathing down hi
Great question Ted. Zelensky is enjoying a powerful rally round the flag effect - so no political opposition to hold him accountable. Perhaps that is for the better (for now)- less opportunity for Russian assets to cause discord and weaken the national unity at the time of literal survival. I am not too worried about Zelensky himself - he has powerful incentives to align with the West and meet EU and State Depts' anti-corruption measures. Ukraine also has great civil society/media is relatively free. Overall, his swift moves were encouraging - this was more of a warning that he would need to be even tougher. Merely firing someone for corruption is not enough - it is a crime to be prosecuted in normal times- let alone now, when so much is at stake, and so much of the Western aid depends on the perceptions that these are not going to waste.
Re the corruption in Kyiv issue. How do internal regime politics play into this subject? In other words, is political life in Ukraine completely frozen? Who’s looking over Zelenskyy’s shoulders/breathing down hi
“...his neck?”
Great question Ted. Zelensky is enjoying a powerful rally round the flag effect - so no political opposition to hold him accountable. Perhaps that is for the better (for now)- less opportunity for Russian assets to cause discord and weaken the national unity at the time of literal survival. I am not too worried about Zelensky himself - he has powerful incentives to align with the West and meet EU and State Depts' anti-corruption measures. Ukraine also has great civil society/media is relatively free. Overall, his swift moves were encouraging - this was more of a warning that he would need to be even tougher. Merely firing someone for corruption is not enough - it is a crime to be prosecuted in normal times- let alone now, when so much is at stake, and so much of the Western aid depends on the perceptions that these are not going to waste.