Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made headlines by revealing his income publicly for the first time, a move aimed at promoting transparency and battling corruption as Ukraine seeks EU membership. The disclosure showed a significant drop in the Zelenskyy family’s income from 2021 to 2022, attributed partly to reduced earnings from government bond sales.
In 2021, the family earned 10.8 million Ukrainian hryvnias ($286,168), which decreased by almost 12 million hryvnias the following year. Zelenskyy’s declaration also highlighted his ownership of various trademarks, with 22 registered in 2021 alone. However, their income plummeted further in 2022 to 3.7 million hryvnias due to the termination of lease agreements amid Russia’s aggression.
Despite the income decline, the family’s assets, real estate holdings, and vehicle ownership remained stable. Zelenskyy’s push for transparency extends to all public officials, urging them to disclose their incomes. Additionally, Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention reopened a register for income declarations, reinforcing the country’s commitment to combatting graft.
In a separate development, the Security Service of Ukraine uncovered a $40 million corruption scheme involving arms procurement. Several individuals, including employees from Lviv Arsenal and Ministry of Defense officials, allegedly conspired to embezzle funds meant for purchasing mortar shells. The revelation underscores ongoing efforts to root out corruption within government institutions.
Zelenskyy’s income disclosure, coupled with anti-corruption measures, signals Ukraine’s determination to meet EU membership criteria and gain support from international partners like the United States and the International Monetary Fund.
