Today, there is no systemic corruption in Ukraine, and occasional instances are not tolerated — Prime Minister

Denys Shmyhal said this in an interview with the German publication Focus, the Government Portal reports.  

When asked whether the recent corruption scandal in the Ministry of Defense is a sign of serious structural problems in Ukraine, the Prime Minister replied: "Today, there is no systemic corruption in Ukraine. Occasional instances of corruption — I emphasize the word "occasional" — are not tolerated, they are immediately dealt with."

Shmyhal noted that Ukraine is completing the development of its anti-corruption infrastructure, and that institutions are fully functional and monitor all levels for corruption.

"Society has changed as a result of this war and no longer tolerates any signs of possible wrongdoing. We have zero tolerance for corruption. The response is immediate. The rapid detention of people suspected of abuse shows that Ukraine's approach to these issues has evolved," the Prime Minister said.

He also said that since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the oligarchic influence has significantly decreased.

"Some of the oligarchs have left the country, others have lost their influence in the media. Almost none of them have any political power anymore. Many were forced to close their businesses in the east of Ukraine — their enterprises were either occupied or destroyed," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister said that the structure of the Ukrainian economy would change after this war: the state is implementing market reforms — small and medium-sized enterprises should become the basis for the future recovery of Ukraine and its economy.