Department of State: Supporting reform is top priority for US-Ukraine relations

Kara McDonald, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, said this at Ukraine Reform Conference on June 30, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Supporting reform in critical areas is the top priority for the U.S. relationship with Ukraine," she said.

McDonald acknowledged that since 2014 Ukraine had made significant progress in reforms. "Today Ukraine is stronger, more prosperous and more accountable to its people," she noted.

However, according to MacDonald, oligarchs in Ukraine continue to receive super-profits at the expense of the state, which undermines the process of eradicating corruption.

The deputy assistant secretary noted that the American side had taken steps to counter corruption and malicious activity in Ukraine. In this regard, she recalled, in particular, the imposition of sanctions against Ihor Kolomoisky and his family.

“We look forward to further action by the Ukrainian authorities aimed at strengthening judicial institutions, ending impunity and building institutional capacity to hold corrupt officials accountable,” McDonald said.

ish