Monday, June 15, 2015

Petro Poroshenko op-ed: We’re Making Steady Progress in Ukraine, Despite Putin

A crackdown on corruption is boosting investment and growth, even as we contend with Russian aggression.
When I became president of Ukraine a year ago this month, Crimea had been annexed, the country was standing on the brink of war and—after more than 20 years of Soviet-style governance, endemic corruption, cronyism and inefficient policy—our economy was sliding into decay.
TAKING A STAND: A man marks the anniversary of the 
Revolution of Dignity on the Maidan earlier this year. 
Photo: Sergey Dolzhenko/European Pressphoto Agency
Now, another revolution is under way. The struggle this time is just as vital as during the 2013-14 pro-democracy Revolution of Dignity on the Maidan in our capital city of Kiev. It has the potential to move Ukraine closer to the European future that the majority of its citizens want. We have already made great progress.
A year ago Ukraine was weak, with only 5,000 troops defending the country, making it an easy target of aggression. Today, more than 50,000 troops are fighting Russian-backed forces in Donbas, while the number of military servicemen has grown to 250,000.
We had a notorious traffic-police force, widely despised and ridiculed for corruption and abuse of power. At the beginning of next month, as a pilot program in reforming law-enforcement agencies, we will launch a new patrol police based on a similar force that has been effective in Georgia.
Before the revolution, we were almost fully dependent on gas imports from Russia. Today, by the diversification of supplies, we have reduced the consumption of Russian gas to 19.9 billion cubic meters from 28.1 billion cubic meters since 2014 and the Russian share of our gas imports to 37% from 90%. We have adopted legislation that establishes transparent rules on the industry.
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, author of this op-ed
Our citizens once had limited influence over public policies, often due to questionable election practices and the lack of democratic freedoms. Today, following free, fair and internationally praised elections, the Ukrainian leadership is transparent and accountable as never before. The newly formed National Reforms Council brings the president, government and coalition leaders to one table with leaders of civil society to discuss the most urgent reforms and ensure their implementation.
Read the rest of the op-ed HERE.

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