US Special Representative comments on scandal involving leaks at Anticorruption Bureau
Photo: US Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker (Getty Images)
The investigation into leaks at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is ongoing, and it is too early to draw conclusions about the situation. At the same time, foreign companies wishing to invest in Ukraine need to have confidence in the country's anti-corruption institutions, states US Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker at a press conference in Kyiv, responding to a question from an RBC-Ukraine correspondent.
"Well, I think, first of all, there's an investigation going on. And we don't know how that's going to come out between some folks at NABU, as I understand, and parts of the government. We need to let that play out," said Pritzker.
She emphasized that both Ukrainians and foreigners who want to invest in the country need to have confidence in the anti-corruption institutions.
"We've made this point before. They need to be strong. They need to be independent. They need to be well-funded. They need to be well-functioning. And it's absolutely essential to Ukraine, to Ukrainian business leaders, to all business leaders that these institutions are pristine if you will. And it's fundamental to Ukraine's future and to attracting business," said the US Special Representative.
According to her, anti-corruption organizations allow Ukrainians to hold their government accountable, oversee authorities, "and most importantly, to ensure that the unprecedented resources that are being invested in Ukraine today, mostly by governments, and all of us, are being managed responsibly."
"These are essential organizations and I would double down on saying it's important that they are well managed and well run and strong and independent," Pritzker emphasized.
Leaks from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU)
In June, following scandals involving leaks, NABU initiated several internal investigations into allegations of abuse of office and possible pressure on whistleblowers.
The investigations concern employees who reportedly leaked information from the Bureau. The First Deputy Head of NABU, Gizo Uglava, is suspected of pressuring whistleblowers.
However, NABU has refused to conduct an internal investigation into the leaks themselves.
