Ukrainian lawmakers draft defense transparency bill after bribery allegations |
KYIV, 24 january (Reuters) – of Ukraine judge party on Tuesday to increase transparency in defense procurement after an army food contract became the subject of major corruption allegations law prepared the project.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s team is trying to take a tough line against bribery after a media outlet accused the Defense Ministry of overspending on food. The ministry denied the allegations.
Parliament Anastasia Radina, head of the Anti-Corruption Committee, said that law The bill would mandate the disclosure of prices paid for military goods and services on the government procurement website.
Radina, a member of Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, said that this requirement will not be applied to the purchase of weapons.
“We are obliged to ensure a level of transparency in procurement for the military, below which such scandals simply will not arise. Can this be done in a way that does not expose customers and suppliers to additional risks? Yes,” he said.
According to Oleksiy Danylov, head of the Security Council, last year Russia When Ukraine was invaded, the country’s defense expenditure was about 32.5% of the gross domestic product.
Law sent to parliament for discussion and Zelensky must be approved by three votes in that chamber before being signed by
Report by Olena Harmash; Edited by Tom Balmforth and Mark Heinrich
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2023-01-25 12:57:38
Source – reuters
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