KYIV – U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah today announced $10 million in additional U.S. support for Ukraine, largely for corruption fighting measures. The support furthers the U.S. Government’s commitment to fighting corruption, especially with stakeholders and in areas not previously addressed, by helping Ukrainians develop institutions and mechanisms to better monitor how their government is working for them.

"Across the world, we see how corruption stifles dreams and limits opportunity," said Shah. "By working hand-in-hand with our partners to increase transparency, we can unlock broad-based economic growth and strengthen democratic governance in Ukraine for generations to come."

Shah announced the investment during remarks at the Kyiv National Economics University before an audience of students, staff, civil society and government ministers. The Government of Ukraine has acknowledged the need to address corruption by enacting systemic changes that will deter, detect, investigate and prosecute corruption. Civil society has been most active in leading this fight through a Reanimation Reform Package, a comprehensive collection of draft legislation to serve as a roadmap for government reforms. 

USAID’s programming across all sectors in Ukraine—including democracy and governance, economic development, and health—continuously works to prevent corruption and increase transparency. Support includes efforts to address accountability of government officials, fair and transparent judicial systems, transparent public procurement, and transparent energy sector regulation.

In Ukraine, Shah visited Kyiv and Odesa where he met with top government officials, including Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Throughout the trip, Shah will discuss U.S. efforts to attract business investment and support anti-corruption efforts. Over the past 20 years, USAID has invested close to $2 billion in Ukraine to build a stronger more stable economy, develop and strengthen democratic structures, strengthen civil society and provide better healthcare. More recently USAID helped provide a Sovereign Loan Guarantee on $1 billion, which saved the Government of Ukraine at least $280 million in interest payments and helped to stabilize the economy, and provided critical support to the successful Ukrainian Presidential election on May 25.