Kyiv – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said personnel changes are being made at senior and lower levels, following essentially the most high-profile allegations of corruption since Russia’s invasion that threaten to dampen Western enthusiasm for the federal government in Kiev.
Reports of a recent scandal in Ukraine, which has a protracted history of shaky governance, come as European countries quarrel over giving it German-made Leopard 2 tanks – the workhorse of armies across Europe that Ukraine needs to interrupt through Russian lines and regain territory.
“There are already personnel decisions – some today, some tomorrow – regarding officials at various levels in ministries and other central administration structures, as well as in regions and law enforcement agencies,” Zelensky said in his late-night video speech on Monday.
Zelensky didn’t indicate the officials to get replaced. Several Ukrainian media reported that ministers and senior officials could possibly be fired soon.
![Ukrainian soldiers and a dog gather in a trench on the front line in Donetsk Oblast, January 23, 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/AFP_337N6ZK.jpg?w=1024)
The deputy head of the Chancellery of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko later said that he had asked Zelensky to alleviate him of his duties. He didn’t give a reason, however the media had previously reported that it could possibly be a part of the upheaval.
On Sunday, anti-corruption police said they’d detained the deputy infrastructure minister on charges of receiving a $400,000 bribe for importing generators last September, which the minister denies.
The newspaper accused the Ministry of Defense of overpaying food suppliers for soldiers. The supplier said he made a technical error and no money modified hands.
David Arakhamia, head of the Zelenskiy Servant of the People party, said officials should “deal with the war, help the victims, cut red tape and stop questionable business.”
![Ukrainian soldiers evacuate their comrades-in-arms who were wounded during shelling on the front line, January 23, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/2023-01-23T154530Z_1443949983_RC2CWY91RZ5C_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-DONETSK-REGION.jpg?w=1024)
“We will certainly be actively in prisons this spring. If a humane approach doesn’t work, we’ll do it under martial law,” he said.
“Spring Will Be Decisive”
The front lines on this war were largely frozen for 2 months, despite heavy casualties on each side.
![Ukrainian soldiers are seen near the front line during a Russian assault on Ukraine, near Soledar in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, January 23, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/2023-01-23T154754Z_1515841995_RC2BWY924AMC_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-DONETSK-REGION.jpg?w=1024)
Ukraine says Western tanks will give its troops the firepower to interrupt Russian defense lines. However the Western allies were unable to achieve an agreement on arming Kiev with tanks, fearing actions that might trigger a Russian escalation.
Germany, which must approve the re-export of the Leopard, has said it’s able to act quickly if the allies reach a consensus.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Warsaw will seek permission to send Leopard tanks to Kiev and is attempting to get others on board.
Germany just isn’t blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Monday.
US lawmakers have pressured their government to export M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, claiming that even a token number would help induce European allies to do the identical.
The UK has said it’s going to supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron has said he has not ruled out the potential of sending Leclerc tanks.
Russia tried to exert its own pressure.
“All countries which are directly or not directly involved in pumping weapons into Ukraine and raising its technological level bear responsibility” for the continuation of the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.