Politico: The US has prepared a secret development strategy for Ukraine, the main place in which is the fight against corruption

Politico has obtained a classified version of Washington's long-term strategy for Ukraine, which is three times longer than the official version published on the State Department's website.

In particular, the United States aims to bring Ukraine's armed forces and defense complex to NATO standards as soon as possible, according to the confidential version of the document.

It is also noted that corruption could force Western allies to curtail aid to Kyiv.

As stated in the strategy, the US goals in Ukraine include assistance in fighting corruption, denationalization of the economy, privatization of banks (including Alfa-Bank Ukraine, which was renamed Sense Bank and then nationalized in July 2023), and promotion of English language learning in schools.

The State Department develops similar strategies for many countries every few years. They indicate what goals Washington would like to achieve in a particular area of its foreign policy toward Ukraine and in what timeframe.

Military reform

At the NATO summit in July, Ukraine was not offered a plan to join the alliance. However, the confidential part of the US strategy often mentions the desire to bring Ukraine's Armed Forces to NATO standards, doctrine and principles, Politico writes.

The allies agreed at the summit to accelerate this transition, including by adopting a multi-year assistance program. To do this, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine should, in particular, develop "a cadre of professional junior officers and noncommissioned officers," the US strategy says. They serve as an important link between commanders and the rank and file.

Even the format and content of military documents should "reflect NATO terminology," the strategy says. The US also wants Ukraine to produce military equipment for itself.

At the same time, it is necessary to build a "national defense industry capable of meeting the basic needs" of the country.

A conference held last week in Kyiv with representatives of more than 250 Western arms manufacturers brought this prospect closer. Ukraine intends to increase the production of air defense and demining equipment, as well as missiles, drones, and artillery shells, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the conference.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry reported that about 20 agreements were signed with foreign partners (it did not name them) on joint production, technology exchange, and supply of components.

Fighting corruption

The document pays great attention to the fight against corruption. In particular, it contains recommendations for eradicating white-collar crimes and reforming a number of sectors of the Ukrainian civil service, the publication writes.

"The perception of corruption at the highest level," the confidential version of the document warns, "could undermine the confidence of the Ukrainian public and foreign leaders in the wartime government." It also expresses concern that corruption could make Western allies "disillusioned with the idea of supporting Ukraine" in its fight against Russian aggression, and therefore Kyiv cannot delay its efforts to fight corruption.

The secret version of the plan also contains other recommendations for Ukraine, from privatizing state-owned banks to teaching English in most Ukrainian schools, Politico writes.