In the same phone call, the Ukrainian president agreed with Trump's complaints about European leaders not helping Ukraine. The Ukrainian president notably played a large role in the US president’s impeachment.ĭonald Trump was accused of withholding aid from Ukraine until Zelenskyy would announce an investigation into Trump's Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son's ties to Ukraine.Īs part of the impeachment process, transcripts of Trump’s phone calls with Zelenskyy were released including one call in which Trump asked him for a “favour” which was investigating Biden. Central role in the political crisis in the United States Nonetheless, Zelenskyy's record on anti-corruption could be better, Lutzevych said, with more of an effort to reform courts and have independent law enforcement.Įxperts say reform has been slow to come and several political shake-ups, including the ousting of Zelenskyy's prime minister back in March, raised questions about future reforms.Īccording to Transparency International, Ukraine ranks 126th out of 183 countries on corruption. “It safeguards the banking reform and clean up of the banking system that took place,” said Lutsevych, but it took a long time to pass the reform. Zelenskyy had tried to distance himself from bank tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky who had attempted to influence the vote through his connection with the president, reports Associated Press. The country passed a banking reform law that prevents former executives of nationalised banks from reclaiming them. Zelenskyy’s first year has been marked domestically by reforms put in place to allow the country to receive $5.5 billion (€5bn) in loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Oleg Sentsov - a symbol of resistance in UkraineĬhallenging domestic arena, but little anti-corruption action.Oleg Sentsov: Freed filmmaker's thought for jailed Ukrainians as he picks up human rights prize.Empty chair at ceremony for Oleg Sentsov at European Parliament.

President of ukraine 2020