2 Feb 2023 11:56

Zelensky: large-scale investigative procedures on Feb 1 are movement toward justice

MOSCOW. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has described the searches conducted on Wednesday and the government's personnel decisions as "movement toward justice."

"Today is a fruitful day for our country in confronting those who are trying to weaken Ukraine even now," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying in an overnight video address.

The president thanked the government for its prompt reaction to personnel issues.

"In particular, the heads of the Customs Service were dismissed today. Disciplinary proceedings have been launched against some of these persons. Unfortunately, this is the only way to guarantee legitimacy in some areas - by replacing senior officials in parallel with implementing institutional changes, by replacing them as much as necessary to ensure that people do not abuse power," he said.

"Today, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Economic Security, and the Prosecutor's Office carried out dozens of searches and took other measures in different regions and against different individuals as part of opened criminal cases. The movement toward justice is tangible. And justice will be ensured," Zelensky said.

"The purity of processes within the Defense Ministry and the Defense Forces in general is particularly important. Any internal delivery, any procurement must be totally as transparent and honest as external deliveries for our defense. Those who interfere with it will not stay in the relevant agencies," he said.