MEP: Corruption scandal not likely to reduce EU support for Ukraine
Michael Gahler, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany, stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.
The MEP admitted that everyone had been shocked by the news of the corruption scandal in Ukraine and noted that corruption often occurs during times of war. However, he stressed, it must be addressed just as resolutely as in times of peace.
"Сertain people who behaved wrongly are there in the early days, in earlier times, think they can behave in the same way during war. That is very unpatriotic. They have to be punished, and we have to get hold of them, and sentence them accordingly,” Gahler emphasized.
At the same time, the politician emphasized that Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies have continued to operate even during the war. This is precisely what European partners intended when they supported the establishment of institutions such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, the High Anti-Corruption Court, and others.
Gahler is convinced that the corruption scandal will not lead to reduced EU support for Ukraine, as it is in the EU’s own interest that Ukraine maintain its positions.
“It's in our interest that Ukraine can hold the position because they are our frontmen. And only because there are some corrupt structures, that's not an argument to lower or cut any financial support, be it militarily or in other areas,” the MEP stressed.
As reported by Ukrinform, the Verkhovna Rada supported the dismissal of German Galushchenko from the post of Minister of Justice and Svitlana Grynchuk from the post of Minister of Energy.
The political parties European Solidarity and Holos have called for a renewal of the government, the formation of a new coalition in the Verkhovna Rada, and a reset of the work of parliamentary committees in light of NABU’s anti-corruption special operation in the energy sector.
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