Senior U.S. Diplomat Vows Support For Kyiv's Anti-Corruption Fight, War Effort

KYIV -- U.S. Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya, during a visit to Kyiv, underscored "unwavering U.S. solidarity" with Ukraine against Moscow's aggression and vowed continued support for Kyiv's efforts to battle corruption at home.

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"Our message, building on the visit of Administrator Power, and Secretary Blinken in recent weeks is a straightforward one: U.S. support is steadfast in the face of Russia's illegal war against Ukraine," she said in an interview with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on October 18, referring to USAID chief Samantha Power and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Zeya, the U.S. a secretary of state for public security, democracy, and human rights, said that "providing Ukraine with the support that it needs to prevail is a top priority for the United States."

She said that among the key points she stressed during her meetings with leaders in Kyiv was U.S. backing to help "Ukraine win the war, win the peace, and win the future by strengthening its democratic resilience. "

U.S. Undersecretary Of State: Ukraine Support Remains 'Top Priority'

Prior to her visit, the State Department said Zeya would emphasize "continued partnership on anti-corruption and rule-of-law reforms, a strong civil society and independent media, and advancing victim- and survivor-centered justice and accountability for Ukrainians."

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other leaders have pressed Ukraine's allies for additional military aid and also permission to use Western-supplied weapons to attack bases deep inside Russia, something Washington and other countries have been reluctant to grant over fears of igniting a wider conflict.

While providing aid to Ukraine, Western partners have also pressed Kyiv to make gains against widespread corruption in the country to -- as Zeya said during the visit -- help "secure a fully integrated Ukraine with Europe."

"The United States is proudly supporting Ukraine's tremendous anti-corruption gains, from reforming oversight of financial crimes and increasing the number of anti-corruption judges to doubling the number of indictments and convictions in the last 16 months," she said.

Zeya said the United States "will do its utmost to rally its partners to help Ukraine, hold Russia accountable for its atrocities, and advance comprehensive justice for its people."

During her visit Zeya, announced a $5 million partnership with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting to "enhance collaboration between civil society and Ukrainian anti-corruption institutions toward even greater government transparency and accountability."

"I think the fact that Ukraine is consistently rising in Transparency International's annual rankings over recent years as it is repelling this brutal full-scale invasion really speaks to the tenacity, resourcefulness, and determination of Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts," she said.

Transparency International has ranked Ukraine 104th out of 180 countries in its most recent index.

The watchdog said in its report for 2023 that "across the region, many governments control the judiciary and law enforcement institutions to maintain impunity for corruption for those in their privileged circles."

For "countries in the Western Balkans, these persistent practices stand in the way of European Union membership. This is also the case for Moldova and Ukraine, although these countries are making substantial reforms to their justice systems," Transparency International said.

Zeya also vowed that Washington would continue its support for "millions of displaced Ukrainians, including those in Ukraine and around the region" who have had their lives thrown into turmoil by the Russian invasion.

The U.S. diplomat is scheduled to travel to Poland and Britain following her visit to Ukraine.