Ukraine’s Partners Form List of Priority Reforms for Continued Assistance

The US has confirmed it sent Ukraine a list of priority reforms that should be implemented for continued assistance.

“As part of an ongoing dialogue with Ukraine and stakeholders in Ukraine’s future success, the United States provided a proposed list of priority reforms for discussion and feedback at the Multi-Donor Coordination Platform in Brussels,” reads the statement from the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

As noted, this list was provided as a basis for consultation with the Government of Ukraine and key partners as part of our enduring support to Ukraine and its efforts to integrate into Europe, a goal the United States strongly supports.

The aim of the effort is to prioritise and consolidate reform steps with Ukraine and among key stakeholders.

“As President Biden said in his White House meeting with President Zelenskyy, “Just as we are committed to helping the Ukrainian people defend themselves now, we’re also committed to helping them recover and rebuild for the future, including supporting reforms that are going to combat corruption, creating an environment where businesses can thrive and where American and European businesses want to invest,” the statement says.

As MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak noted, the letter was received not only by Ukraine but also by the Multi-Donor Coordination Platform, i.e. such organisations as the EU, G7 countries, and major international financial organisations (IMF, World Bank, EIB, EBRD, IFC).

“The next logical step will be the synchronisation of all requirements in the memoranda and terms of financing. This is what the principle of ‘money in exchange for reforms’ means,” the politician said.

He emphasised that all this would also apply to $42 billion in aid, on which all these international donors of Ukraine have a decisive influence.

One day earlier, Ukrainian media published a copy of the letter with a list of reforms that Ukraine should carry out to continue receiving aid.

The document provides for changes in the priority of their implementation in the specified terms: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, one year, 18 months. In particular, they concern the functioning of supervisory boards of state-run enterprises, anti-corruption bodies (Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, National Anti-Corruption Bureau, National Agency on Corruption Prevention), the High Council of Justice, and the judicial branch.

Changes in the work of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and all law enforcement agencies were also defined as a priority during the year.

Bohdan Marusyak