Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly rises during question period, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in Ottawa. Joly has ended a two-day visit to Ukraine, meeting with senior officials to assess Canada's response to Russia's invasion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is praising a recent crackdown on corruption by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government.
Joly says she repeatedly raised Canada’s concerns about corruption during her two-day visit to the embattled country, including in meetings with Zelenskyy and other top Ukrainian officials.
While Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty and territorial integrity following Russia’s invasion last year, Joly says it is just as important that the country fight for and defend the values of a functioning democracy.
Zelenskyy has shaken up a number of high-level posts in recent weeks in response to allegations of corruption as Western allies channel billions of dollars into the country to help Ukraine fight Russia.
There were reports this week that Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov was on his way out, but three of his deputies were replaced instead.
Joly also says Canada is lobbying for other allies to provide more heavy weaponry to Ukraine, as an expected flood of tanks has yet to become reality.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2023.
