Earlier today, 56-year-old Reznikov promised to have his ministry scrutinized after a recent corruption scandal related to purchases for the army.
The leader of the ruling party reports on Telegram that Reznikov will remain minister, but at a different ministry. According to him, it would make sense to take these steps.
“Commander in chief decides”
Reznikov said earlier today that “only the commander-in-chief, President Volodimir Zelensky, decides whether I remain defense minister.”
Reznikov acknowledged that his ministry’s anti-corruption services have “failed their duties” and said he has ordered “internal investigations of all government contracts.”
Purchasing director had already been fired
In addition, he also promised to investigate how his ministry deals with what he calls ‘international technical aid’, referring to the Western weapons that Kiev receives.
At the end of January, the director of the procurement department of the Ministry of Defense was already fired. The top official was linked to a scandal about the purchase of far too expensive food for soldiers.
EU
Widespread corruption was one of the main criticisms of the West against Ukraine before the war. In June, Ukraine received the status of candidate member state of the European Union, which requires, among other things, that the country fights corruption.
