Audit: Biden to help rebuild Ukraine despite world-class ‘corruption’
Paul Bedard
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The Biden administration plans to stay in Ukraine for at least the next three years and will fund the “reconstruction” of the war-torn nation, though “corruption” is expected to peck away at the effort, according to a newly disclosed audit.
With the classification “Sensitive But Unclassified” crossed through, the just-released State Department audit repeatedly raised concerns about corruption in government circles that could undermine the U.S. effort, which is likely to be pricey because the overall cost has been estimated at nearly half a trillion dollars.
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The State Department audit said corruption in Ukraine is second only to Russia. “Transparency International ranks Ukraine 116 of 180 countries on its 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, making Ukraine the second worst country in Europe after Russia. Additionally, numerous articles and studies document corruption in Ukraine and challenges from oligarchic influence on political processes and the economy,” said the Office of Inspector General.
The United States has provided over $113 billion to Ukraine already, and there appears no end to the Biden administration’s plans to continue sending civilian and military aid to the country trying to force back a Russian invasion.
The U.S. has been involved in another costly and corrupt reconstruction project in Afghanistan. Theft, fraud, and corruption by that government cost American taxpayers billions of dollars.
The new audit of the State Department’s plans in Ukraine said the administration expects to help in the reconstruction at least through 2025.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already begun helping Ukraine in a drive to win private funds to help in the reconstruction.
The audit concluded, “Beyond the immediate needs that U.S. foreign assistance has been addressing, Ukraine has extensive needs for its recovery and reconstruction. At the time of this review, reconstruction planning was in early stages and characterized by a department official as ‘a huge, multidimensional challenge.’ Department officials told OIG that they were consulting with the private sector and think tanks, in recognition of the complexity and difficulty of the task. In addition, corruption in the Ukrainian government and private sector poses risks to the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance over the longer run.”
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