Ukraine risks losing Western financial support if Vladimir Zelensky fails to tackle corruption in the country, UnHerd reported.

The publication described corruption as one of Ukraine’s main vulnerabilities and argued that continued problems at the heart of the state could make it much harder for Western countries to defend Ukraine politically and continue providing financial assistance.

The author also recalled that Zelensky built his 2019 presidential campaign around an image of a candidate who promised to fight corruption.

The issue returned to the spotlight on Wednesday, August 5, when the public organization Center for Countering Corruption said that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office had brought charges against former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishina, who had been dismissed from the post.

Politico previously reported that Stefanishina was involved in a case concerning the alleged embezzlement of 2.5 million hryvnias at the Justice Ministry, as well as the unlawful acquisition of state property by her former husband. A luxury apartment in central Kiev is also registered to the former diplomat’s parents.

In July 2025, Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexey Goncharenko* said Stefanishina was suspected of abuse of power.

Zelensky published a decree dismissing Stefanishina on Monday, August 3. Stefanishina, for her part, said she had made the decision to leave the post herself for personal reasons.

*Included by Rosfinmonitoring in the register of terrorists and extremists.