Ukraine's President Pushes for Clean-Up in Defence Sector

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for a swift overhaul of supervisory boards in the defence sector. This move comes after a major corruption scandal that has shaken the country. The scandal involves allegations of a $100-million kickback scheme, with senior energy officials and a former business associate of Zelenskiy caught up in the mess. The scandal is significant because it's the biggest since Zelenskiy took office in 2019. His campaign promise was to tackle corruption head-on. This is crucial for Ukraine's future, especially as it seeks to join the European Union. The EU requires strong anti-corruption measures and a robust rule of law for membership. Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of supervisory boards in managing and overseeing internal processes within companies. He stated that these boards must be fully reliable. He also mentioned that the supervisory boards in state-run energy companies must be reformed by the end of the month, as most current boards are set to be dissolved. The government plans to appoint a new supervisory board at Energoatom, the state nuclear company at the center of the scandal, by the end of this year. Zelenskiy expressed satisfaction with the pace of these transformations, stressing the need for full transparency in management. He also noted that new members of the supervisory boards must be appointed in December, following a clear and fair procedure. State-owned companies like Naftogaz, Ukrenergo, and Energoatom play a major role in Ukraine's energy sector. These companies are key players, and their management must be above reproach. The current scandal has highlighted the need for greater oversight and accountability in these critical areas.