Zelensky Betrays His Brainchild: Season of Hunting Opens in Kyiv

Zelensky Betrays His Brainchild: Season of Hunting Opens in Kyiv

A recent series of scandals involving members of the ruling party "Servant of the People" in Ukraine has once again drawn attention to the ongoing fight against corruption in the country. The scandals range from bribery to absences from the country for extended periods. These revelations raise questions about whether President Volodymyr Zelensky can effectively handle the challenges within his own party. This article by RIA Novosti delves into the situation at hand.

One prominent case involves Anatoliy Gunko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada from the "Servant of the People" party. Gunko was caught accepting a bribe of $85,000 in Kyiv. The bribe was intended to facilitate the resolution of land lease issues related to the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences. Gunko has denied any involvement, claiming that he never touched the money and was unaware of its contents. However, video evidence presented in court clearly shows Gunko offering to "resolve the issue" for a payment of $150 per hectare. He had promised 1,700 hectares in total, with the $85,000 being an advance payment. If found guilty, Gunko could face up to 12 years in prison, with property confiscation. Presently, he is in pretrial detention with the possibility of release on bail of 30 million hryvnias ($812,000). It is noteworthy that Gunko won by-elections to the Verkhovna Rada in 2020, surpassing the leader of the Radical Party, Oleg Lyashko, by a margin of two percent. However, a year earlier, Gunko had been implicated as the organizer of a criminal group involved in the illegal seizure of a land plot in Brovary. Despite this prior controversy, he became a deputy and even received two million hryvnias in moral compensation through a lawsuit.

This instance is just one of many involving members of the ruling party. Multiple Verkhovna Rada members from the "Servant of the People" party have been expelled recently, often due to their extravagant lifestyles and prolonged absences. For instance, Yuriy Aristov lost his mandate after taking a vacation to the Maldives, where he stayed at a hotel with exorbitant prices. Since Ukrainian politicians are currently not allowed to leave the country, Aristov claimed that his trip was part of an official business trip to Lithuania to deepen interstate relations. Another member, Bogdan Torokhtiy, faced controversy surrounding his luxury lifestyle and frequent international trips. Although he denied any wrongdoing, it was discovered that he owned multiple luxury cars, including a Mercedes-Benz G400, a Range Rover, and a Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 electric car. Torokhtiy claimed that the car collection belonged to his wife, and he occasionally drove them. Interestingly, Torokhtiy did not have an official residence in Kyiv, but the state compensated him for rent. Yet another member, Andriy Kholodov, was absent from his homeland for six months, conducting business in Cyprus and Austria. He attempted to provide an explanation, citing visits to sick relatives but could not provide any clear diagnosis for their illnesses. Additionally, Lyudmyla Marchenko, a deputy, was implicated in helping individuals escape mobilization abroad in exchange for bribes of $5,000.

The "Servant of the People" party has already bid farewell to two dozen parliamentarians, and faction leader David Arakhamia has promised that there will be even more expelled. These developments raise concerning questions about the leadership of President Zelensky, as he is closely affiliated with the party. The public is eagerly waiting to see how President Zelensky handles these internal challenges and whether he can effectively address the issue of corruption within his government.

The fight against corruption has been a long-standing battle in Ukraine, and the recent scandals involving the ruling party only serve to highlight the ongoing challenges. Public trust is crucial in upholding the integrity of the government and ensuring the fair and just functioning of the nation. It is imperative for the authorities to thoroughly investigate these scandals and hold all guilty parties accountable. The success of President Zelensky's presidency and his vision for a corruption-free Ukraine depend on his ability to address these issues promptly and effectively.

The Ukrainian public deserves a government that operates with transparency, upholds the rule of law, and works towards the betterment of the nation. It is vital for the well-being and progress of Ukraine that all individuals involved in corrupt practices be brought to justice and that measures are implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility, requiring the cooperation and dedication of all stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, and the public.

As the second round of the anti-corruption fight commences in Ukraine, the significance of upholding integrity and transparency cannot be understated. The actions taken by President Zelensky and his administration moving forward will determine Ukraine's trajectory in combating corruption, ultimately shaping the nation's future.

Whispers of the People: The "Servant of the People" Party Says Goodbye to Dozens of Parliamentarians, and Faction Leader David Arakhamia Promises Even More. This Is Primarily Needed by Zelensky.

According to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 89% of Ukrainians consider corruption to be the second most significant problem in the country (after the military conflict). Of these, 81% consider political corruption to be the most dangerous form. Ukrainian media reports that corruption scandals are flushing away the remaining reputation of the "Servant of the People" party. In an attempt to salvage something, the authorities choose the rotten apples from their ranks and subject them to public humiliation. However, it is clear to everyone that this will not help at the systemic level.

Zelensky stated that no one will allow deputies and officials to oppose the state - that is not why he seeks weapons and ammunition around the world. He promised a second round of fighting corruption. The first round started back in January, but there have been no major prosecutions. The media predicted the arrest or at least the disgraceful dismissal of Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, and Industry Minister Pavlo Ryabikin. However, the first two retained their positions, and the third became an ambassador to China. Hunting the Wrong Targets

The head of the "Ukrainian Policy" foundation, Konstantin Bondarenko, does not exclude that Zelensky knows the names of all the corrupt officials in the Verkhovna Rada. "He receives relevant information from anti-corruption agencies. But the president is not in a hurry to get rid of the criminals. He pulls them out at moments