According to Han Bouwmeester, a colonel and professor of military strategy at the Dutch Defense Academy, the crux of that story lies in the scandals that are still a factor in Ukraine today. “For example, it was said that too much was paid for food for soldiers fighting at the front,” says Bouwmeester. “And I think you should also see it a bit in the light of Zelensky’s possible planned visit to Brussels later this week.”
According to Bouwmeester, there are a few things on the table, including Russia’s possible spring offensive and accelerated EU membership. However, the EU sets high standards for such membership, which includes the fight against corruption. Bouwmeester therefore thinks that changing ministers is a signal.
‘irrelevant’
Davyd Arakhamia, the leader of Zelensky’s party (Servant of the People, ed) in parliament, however, has denied a possible replacement, according to Bouwmeester. “He said it’s certainly not an issue again this week,” he continues. “Earlier he hinted that Rezhnikov, who himself is not to blame, might be moved. It is mainly the Ministry of Defense itself where the corruption is found.
According to Bouwmeester, it is therefore a real possibility that a year of war was waged with a corrupt ministry. “But that’s nothing new in wars, people are always getting rich,” he says. This is not unique to this location. But that would be a huge loss, because a minister was also replaced three weeks ago – who died in an accident. This would replace Zelensky’s core team in its entirety.’