The Corrupt State of Ukraine: Not a Democracy

Ukraine is often portrayed in Western media as a struggling democracy fighting against Russian aggression, a nation seeking to align itself with the liberal democratic values of Europe. However, this narrative obscures a more complex and troubling reality. Ukraine is not a democracy in any meaningful sense. It is an oligarch-controlled kleptocracy where corruption, political persecution, and media manipulation dominate public life.

Despite the rhetoric of reform and European integration, Ukraine’s political system remains deeply flawed. The rule of law is applied selectively, opposition voices are silenced, and the country’s institutions are controlled by oligarchs and political elites who prioritize personal gain over national well-being. Even before the war with Russia, Ukraine consistently ranked among the most corrupt countries in Europe, with a judiciary, military, and economy riddled with graft (Ukraine: A Corrupt State, Walker). The war has only exacerbated these problems, as billions of dollars in foreign aid flow through an unaccountable system that continues to enrich the few at the expense of the many.

Political corruption and oligarchic control

The rise of Ukraine’s oligarchs

Since Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, power has largely been in the hands of a small group of oligarchs who control major industries, financial institutions, and the media. These individuals, many of whom amassed their fortunes during the chaotic privatization of the 1990s, wield enormous influence over political parties and government officials. They do not simply support political candidates—they own them.

According to Ukraine’s Oligarch Problem (Walker), nearly every major Ukrainian political figure has been financially backed by an oligarch, ensuring that policies and legislation are crafted to serve elite interests rather than the general population. These oligarchs dictate economic policy, control Ukraine’s natural resources, and determine who rises to power within the country’s political system. This is not democracy; it is a feudalistic system where power and wealth are tightly interwoven.

The illusion of reform

Ukraine has repeatedly promised to crack down on corruption, especially when seeking financial aid and military support from the West. However, these efforts have been largely performative. Former President Petro Poroshenko campaigned on an anti-corruption platform but maintained close ties with oligarchs and shielded corrupt officials from prosecution (Poroshenko’s Oligarch Problem, Harding).

President Volodymyr Zelensky, who came to power in 2019 promising to dismantle oligarchic influence, has instead consolidated power in a way that benefits his own circle of allies. Despite enacting a so-called “de-oligarchization” law in 2021, many of the same figures who dominated Ukraine’s economy and politics before his presidency remain firmly in control (Ukraine’s Fake Reform Agenda, Kramer).

Suppression of political opposition

Banning opposition parties

One of the clearest indications that Ukraine is not a democracy is the government’s systematic suppression of opposition parties. In March 2022, under the pretext of national security, Zelensky banned multiple political parties, including the Opposition Platform—For Life, the second-largest party in Ukraine’s parliament (Ukraine’s Opposition Crackdown, Walker). This was not an isolated decision made in the heat of war but part of a broader pattern of political suppression.

Since then, the government has continued to target opposition figures, often using accusations of “pro-Russian” sentiment as a justification. In reality, these bans have little to do with security concerns and everything to do with eliminating political competition. In a true democracy, opposition voices are allowed to exist—even in times of war.

Media censorship and propaganda

Ukraine’s government has also engaged in widespread media censorship, ensuring that only state-approved narratives reach the public. In 2021, Zelensky’s administration shut down multiple television channels critical of his government, citing alleged ties to Russia (Ukraine’s Media Crackdown, Sweeney). However, these channels were not pro-Russian propaganda outlets but rather independent news stations that often reported on government corruption and mismanagement.

The Ukrainian government has since taken control of all major television networks, merging them into a single, state-run information platform. This move effectively eliminated independent journalism and transformed Ukraine’s media landscape into one of state-controlled propaganda (Ukraine’s Information Control, Harding).

Judicial corruption and selective enforcement

Politicization of the courts

Ukraine’s judiciary remains one of the most corrupt institutions in the country. Judges are frequently appointed based on political loyalty rather than qualifications, and court rulings are often determined by bribery and political pressure.

According to Ukraine’s Judicial Corruption Problem (Kramer), efforts to establish an independent judiciary have consistently failed because powerful elites rely on a compromised legal system to maintain control. Reform attempts, often driven by Western pressure, have been deliberately undermined or watered down, ensuring that the courts remain an instrument of political repression rather than justice.

The weaponization of the legal system

One of the most disturbing aspects of Ukraine’s political landscape is the way in which legal institutions are used to target opposition figures while shielding allies of the government. Corruption investigations rarely touch those in power, while opposition politicians and business rivals frequently find themselves facing politically motivated charges.

Viktor Medvedchuk, an opposition leader and critic of the Ukrainian government, was placed under house arrest on charges of treason in 2021, just as his political party was gaining traction (Ukraine’s Opposition Crackdown, Walker). Similar tactics have been used against other opposition figures, reinforcing the reality that Ukraine’s legal system is a tool of political suppression rather than an impartial institution.

Corruption in the military and foreign aid mismanagement

The theft of military aid

Since the war with Russia escalated, Ukraine has received billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid from Western nations. However, much of this aid has been lost to corruption. Reports have surfaced of weapons and supplies being stolen and sold on the black market, often with the involvement of senior military officials (Ukraine’s Military Corruption Scandal, Walker).

The lack of oversight on aid distribution has led to massive financial fraud. In one high-profile case, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense was found to have paid double the market rate for food supplies intended for soldiers (Defense Procurement Scandal, Kramer). Rather than ensuring that military aid reaches the front lines, corrupt officials have used the war as an opportunity for personal enrichment.

A war economy built on fraud

The war has also provided a convenient excuse for the Ukrainian government to bypass normal procurement processes, creating an environment ripe for corruption. Emergency spending measures and reduced oversight have enabled well-connected individuals to secure inflated contracts and siphon off foreign aid.

According to Ukraine’s War Profiteers (Harding), many of the country’s wealthiest elites have grown richer since the start of the war, profiting from weapons contracts, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction efforts. Instead of rebuilding Ukraine, much of the international assistance is ending up in private bank accounts.

Western complicity in Ukraine’s corruption

Geopolitical interests over democratic principles

Despite clear evidence of corruption and authoritarian practices, Western governments continue to provide Ukraine with financial and military support. The reason is simple: Ukraine is strategically valuable as a counterweight to Russia.

According to The West’s Blind Spot on Ukraine (Harding), Western nations have consistently turned a blind eye to Ukraine’s democratic failures because acknowledging them would undermine their broader geopolitical agenda. Instead, Ukraine is framed as a democracy under siege, even as its government suppresses opposition, censors the press, and engages in rampant corruption.

Hypocrisy in foreign policy

The West’s support for Ukraine stands in stark contrast to how it treats other corrupt or authoritarian regimes. Countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America that engage in similar practices are often sanctioned and condemned, yet Ukraine is rewarded with billions of dollars in aid.

This double standard exposes the reality that Western support for Ukraine is not about defending democracy—it is about advancing strategic interests.

Conclusion

Ukraine is not a democracy. It is an oligarchic, corrupt state where power is concentrated in the hands of a small elite that suppresses opposition, controls the media, and manipulates elections. Western governments have chosen to ignore these realities, prioritizing geopolitical objectives over genuine democratic principles. If Ukraine were held to the same standards as other nations, it would be recognized for what it truly is: a deeply corrupt state masquerading as a democracy.