Corrupt officials in Ukraine have been caught taking part in the theft of a staggering $40 million earmarked for the war effort against Russia, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the integrity of the government.
The Associated Press reports that the money had been meant for the purchase of 100,000 mortar shells to help in Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Employees from a Ukrainian arms firm are accused of conspiring with defense ministry officials to embezzle the money. Five people have been arrested, with one detained while trying to leave the country.
“The investigation comes as Kyiv attempts to clamp down on corruption in a bid to speed up its membership in the European Union and NATO,” the report states. “Officials from both blocs have demanded widespread anti-graft reforms before Kyiv can join them.”
Unfortunately, the need to crack down on corruption probably should have been hashed out prior to the United States sending Ukraine over $100 billion in financial and arms assistance.
More Corruption In Ukraine?
Journalist Glenn Greenwald suggests that this is just a small example of corruption involving taxpayer money sent from the United States to the Ukraine war effort.
“Very soon the full extent of Ukrainian theft of US cash to be revealed,” he forewarned.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) questioned whether the report of corruption in Ukraine was an isolated incident or perhaps just the “tip of the iceberg.”
An advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned back in October that “people are stealing like there’s no tomorrow,” while another said an ongoing crackdown on corruption “was too late” as the “reputational damage was done.”
Ukraine's SBU security service said it uncovered a $40 million corruption scheme in the purchase of arms by the country's military https://t.co/zfsiCdU6i0 pic.twitter.com/YF21CdrTIU
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 28, 2024
RELATED: Rand Paul Hammers ‘Emasculated’ Republicans For Selling Out to Democrats on Spending Deal
Senator Rand Paul Sought Accountability For Money – Republicans and Democrats Refused
Greenwald reminded his followers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), often a singular voice fighting for the American people in Congress, wanted the taxpayer money being sent to Ukraine accounted for.
“For two years, @RandPaul repeatedly tried to condition US aid to Ukraine on having real auditing and safeguard mechanisms to trace the money,” he wrote. “Biden, McConnell and Schumer not only united to stop it, but depicted Paul as a Kremlin apologist for doing it.”
In 2022, Paul managed to temporarily delay a $40 billion military aid package for Ukraine, demanding access for an Inspector General to monitor how the funds were being spent.
Republicans refused to back him, so the money eventually went through.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) calls $40 billion military aid package to Ukraine “a gift” and blocks it from passing. pic.twitter.com/Lxfez8LApb
— The Recount (@therecount) May 12, 2022
“While I sympathize with the people of Ukraine, and commend their fight against Putin, we cannot continue to spend money we don’t have,” Paul explained.
“It’s threatening our own national security, and it’s frankly a slap in the face to millions of taxpayers who are struggling to buy gas, groceries, and find baby formula,” he added.
The news of the embezzlement of such a large sum of money has not only weakened Ukraine’s ability to defend itself but also undermined the trust of the American people.
It is crucial that those who have abused their power and betrayed the trust of the people – from top to bottom – be held accountable for their actions.
Those arrested face up to 12 years in prison.
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