Ukrainian Government is interested in transparent and accountable use of donor funds: Sergii Marchenko for the Wall Street Journal

The Government of Ukraine is interested in transparent and accountable use of donor funds. This was stated by Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko in a commentary for the Wall Street Journal.

“In order to further attract financial assistance, which we need to overcome the economic consequences of the war, we must demonstrate to the world our progress in the fight against corruption,” said Sergii Marchenko.

Commenting on the use of grant aid from the U.S., the Minister of Finance of Ukraine said that the Government could show every individual who had received money from U.S. taxpayers. When we are talking about our international partners’ money, corruption is out of the question. But our partners also want to see that no hryvnias are stolen from our own treasury.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the United States has provided over USD 14 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine. The use of the funds is subject to scrutiny by Ukraine and the aid agencies. The World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Deloitte Consulting LLP monitor the use of U.S. funding.

“The problem with corruption in Ukraine has not gone away, so we need to expand the tools to overcome it. In order to maintain support from governments and taxpayers of partner countries, we have to prove by our deeds that we are reliable allies and can effectively handle the funds,” said Sergii Marchenko.