NABU director at meeting with G7 and EU ambassadors: there can be no compromises when it comes to NABU independence

KYIV. March 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Semen Kryvonos assured the ambassadors of the G7 and the European Union of the independence of the investigations conducted by the detectives of the Bureau.

According to a posting by NABU on its website on Thursday, during the meeting, the ambassadors announced their continued support for the Bureau in the fight against corruption in Ukraine.

“We are closely monitoring the implementation of reforms. After all, helping Ukraine in the fight against corruption is one of our priorities. Now more than ever, it is important to ensure the independence of anti-corruption institutions, their capacity, and active communication with society and international partners,” Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori said.

Chris Smith, Deputy Head of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, in turn, said: “There are two wars: against russia and against corruption, and we equally support Ukraine in both.”

The NABU director assured the ambassadors that he would ensure the independence of investigations, the openness of staffing decisions, and organize work in a way that its results would be highly appreciated by Ukrainian society and international partners.

“Regardless of post and political affiliation, if a person is involved in the commission of a corruption crime, the case will be properly investigated and, if there are objective and sufficient grounds, sent to court. No compromises when it comes to the independence of NABU and me as its director,” Kryvonos said.

In particular, according to the report, the director of NABU informed about a number of challenges the National Bureau must cope with, preparing to counter and prevent corruption during the future reconstruction of Ukraine. These are, in particular: insufficient number of operational and technical personnel and detectives, problems with expert examinations in proceedings, and improvement of the crisis communications process.

“To increase the effectiveness of investigations, it is necessary to increase the staff by 300 employees, launch an expert institution at NABU, and ensure an appropriate material and technical base. In the implementation of these initiatives, I count on the support of partners,” the NABU director added.

At the same time, Kryvonos expressed confidence in further fruitful cooperation and thanked international partners for their support: “I know the important role international partners played and continue to play in the life of NABU, how your support helps find a way out of the most difficult situations and circumstances. I sincerely thank you both as a citizen of Ukraine and as an official for believing in our victory and helping both on the anti-corruption and military battlefield.”