**Ukraine’s Economic Crimes Bureau Remains Leaderless Amid Government Interference**
The Ukrainian government has continued to ignore the recommendations of an independent commission, rejecting a nominee to lead the Bureau of Economic Security. This move has been met with widespread criticism from lawmakers, activists, and businesses, who have called it unlawful and politically motivated.
**A Commission’s Reaffirmation**
On July 14, the commission reaffirmed its choice for Oleksandr Tsyvinsky to head the Bureau of Economic Security. The commission, comprising both Ukrainian and international members, had initially nominated Tsyvinsky on June 30. Despite opposition from three Ukrainian delegates, the commission’s unanimous vote overruled their objections.
**The Rejection**
However, Ukraine’s government rejected Tsyvinsky’s nomination, citing alleged Russia ties presented in a letter from Ukraine’s security services. The government demanded that the commission submit two other candidates. This move has put Ukraine at odds with its international partners and commitments to reform.
**A Call for Reform**
The Bureau of Economic Security was established in 2021 to investigate economic crimes. However, it has since come under fire for allegedly being used to pressure and extort businesses. As part of efforts to overhaul the agency, the commission nominated Tsyvinsky, an anti-corruption investigator with a strong track record.
**A Lack of International Backlash**
Despite Ukraine’s commitments to reform, the international community has been largely silent on this issue. Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak expressed concern that the lack of pushback from Ukraine’s international partners is emboldening officials to walk away from key reform commitments.
“It’s clear the situation will only get worse – I’m sure the next step will be an attack on anti-corruption bodies,” Zhelezniak said in a statement.
**International Partners Remain Silent**
Zhelezniak pointed out that Ukraine’s international partners among the Group of Seven (G7) nations, the EU, and international financial institutions like the IMF have been silent on these issues. The U.S. administration has signaled that the war between Ukraine and Russia is less of a priority.
**The Commission Stands Firm**
In response to the government’s rejection, the commission reaffirmed its choice for Tsyvinsky, emphasizing that information about his alleged Russian ties was already known prior to receiving the letter from Ukraine’s security services. The commission also emphasized that it has completed its mandate and cannot return to an earlier stage of the competition.
“The selection commission had already completed its mandate – our work is finished,” said Laura Stefan, chair of the Economic Security Bureau Head Selection Commission. “We have taken all steps mandated by law.”
**The Impasse Continues**
As Ukraine struggles to reform its economy and institutions, the impasse over the leadership of the Bureau of Economic Security continues. The commission’s reaffirmation of Tsyvinsky as its nominee has not resolved the issue, leaving the agency leaderless and vulnerable to further government interference.
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