As Donald and Melania Trump were saying their last goodbye to the White House on Jan. 20, the world froze waiting for Joe Biden’s inauguration; some with a sense of relief, and some with anger.
After a strained relationship with Trump’s administration, Ukraine now expects a significantly brighter future with Biden, but only if Kyiv takes a proactive approach at fighting its own battles.
This was the conclusion during the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine discussion panel, which focused on the potential relations between Ukraine and the U.S. under the Biden administration.
The panel was joined by lawyer and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s non-staff adviser Andrew Mac, President of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation Nadia McConnell, Kyiv Post’s chief editor Brian Bonner, Deputy Director of Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center Melinda Haring, and political consultant Brian Mefford; moderated by Andy Hunder.
While the five panel experts were optimistic, all have also warned that there will be no honeymoon period between the two countries if Ukraine fails to fight its oligarchs and Russian influence.
Panel participants, top row, from left: , President of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation Nadia McConnell, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine Andy Hunder, Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner; bottom row, from left: Melinda Haring, deputy director of Eurasia Center of the Atlantic Council think tank, political consultant Brian Mefford, Volodymyr Zelensky’s non-staff adviser Andrew Mac.
“Ukraine cannot count on the United States or any foreign power to take care of its problems,” said Bonner.
He believes Ukraine has to finally indict officials and oligarchs suspected of large-scale corruption and money laundering, such as the head of Ukraine’s Constitutional Court Oleksandr Tupytsky and billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky.
Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine’s most notorious oligarchs, has been accused of financial crimes by the U.S. Justice Department, with a possibility of criminal charges looming over him. Amidst all that, Ukraine has pressed no charges against Kolomoisky and his partner Gennadiy Bogolyubov, who allegedly stole $5.5 billion from their PrivatBank before it was nationalized in 2016.
“If Ukraine is willing to fight corruption… Ukraine needs to copy-paste civil forfeiture accusations against Kolomoisky and take them to a Ukrainian court,” Bonner said. “The evidence is clear, the evidence is abundant.”
Ignoring big actors like Kolomoisky while going after minor corruption is “what the (ex-President Viktor) Yanukovych era people did,” agreed Zelensky’s non-staff adviser Andrew Mac.
Political consultant Brian Mefford is certain that sanctions against Russia and military support will continue, but he also highlights that it is corruption that has historically held Ukraine back in its progress towards the European Union.
Zelensky’s thin reform record can threaten possible diplomatic progress between the two countries, despite the Biden administration having a lot of expertise in Ukraine, said Melinda Haring, deputy director of Eurasia Center of the Atlantic Council think tank.
“There is a lot of interest in Ukraine and it’s a personal priority for the new president,” Haring said, emphasizing that politicians in Kyiv shouldn’t be misled to believe they can get away with stalling reforms.
Haring also cautioned against possible tensions with Europe, where Ukraine has looked for support in its defense against Russian aggression.
“The Europeans, particularly France and Germany, are going to want a stronger relationship with Russia, and (Secretary of State nominee Antony) Blinken is going to be sensitive to those things,” she said. “He is playing a bigger game.”
“I’m sure our relations will be enhanced,” Zelensky tweeted, minutes after Biden took oath as the 46th U.S. president.
While the arrival of Biden is good news for Ukraine, it will be up to Zelensky and his administration to seize the opportunities available to Ukraine under the new American president, agreed the panelists.
