National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine takes up anti-corruption drive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the NSDC has made personnel decisions “regarding officials of various levels in ministries and other central government bodies, in the regions, and in the law enforcement system.”
In his video address on January 24th, President Zelenskyy said, “any internal issues that hinder the state are being removed and will continue to be removed. It is fair, it is necessary for our defense, and it helps our rapprochement with European institutions.”
The decision comes following an outcry over possible abuses of power by the Ministry of Defense while procuring food for the military.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine released a statement stating, “NABU and SAPO notified the Deputy Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of suspicion of requesting and accepting an undue advantage worth USD 400,000. His actions fall under Part 4 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy also signed several decrees concerning officials traveling abroad.
“It applies to all officials of the central government and various other levels of local government. It applies to law enforcers, people’s deputies, prosecutors and all those who are supposed to work for the state and in the state,” the President said in his video address.