What Does Ukraine Think? Reforms and oligarchs after the Maidan

Is it possible for a state to reform during war and to what extend the Ukrainians want that?

Guests

Olexiy Haran, professor of Comparative Politics and Founding Director of the School for Policy Analysis, Kyiv Mohyla University

Serhiy Leshchenko, member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Chaired by

Vessela Tcherneva

One year after Viktor Yanukovych was ousted, his methods remain firmly entrenched in the reality of Ukrainian life. Despite the country’s Revolution of Dignity and continued Russian aggression against Ukraine, local oligarchs have become even more powerful and influential, and pose a significant threat to Ukraine’s European development. Oligarchs control the state apparatus, mass media, and whole sectors of industry. Therefore, they can simply put the brakes on reform as soon as their financial interests are threatened. Which are the ways for Ukraine to shake off the oligarchic influence and to build a modern political system? Is it possible for a state to reform during war and to what extend the Ukrainians want that?