EU expects Ukraine to respect rule of law, consistently counter corruption - European Commission spokesperson

BRUSSELS. Aug 25 (Interfax) - The rule of law and the fight against corruption are central to any country wishing to join the European Union, and Ukraine is obligated to comply with these requirements, European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said.

"Ukraine has also committed to reforms in this field and in the context of the EU's Ukraine plan. Ukraine has agreed with the European Commission on ten reform priorities that should be prioritized in order to strengthen the rule of law and the fight against corruption. It is for the Ukrainian authorities to carry out this work in a consistent and efficient manner," Lammert said at a press briefing in Brussels on Tuesday.

He was responding to a request to comment on the blocking of five bills in the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement. These bills would expand the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, reform the State Bureau of Investigations, the prosecutor's office, and the judicial system, with the goal, among other things, of eliminating loopholes for the unjustified closure of corruption cases.

Media outlets reported that the failure of these reforms has put over 2 billion euros in EU financial aid to Kiev from the Ukrainian Fund at risk of non-payment by the end of 2026.