Fighting Corruption In The Former Soviet Republics Is Critical To Western Security (From The National Interest)

The recent conversation between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky has generated renewed interest in the subject of the fight against corruption in the former Soviet Republics (FSRs) and Moscow’s erstwhile allies, often referred to as post-Soviet states in Europe. Almost from their first days as independent nations, corruption has been a major problem for these countries. Corrupt practices have created an avenue for outsiders, particularly Russia, to undermine fragile institutions, blackmail leaders and influence political processes. In Ukraine, the fight against corruption has become inextricably linked to the great power struggle between the West and Russia to place that nation in one camp or the other. Another country where Russian hybrid warfare efforts, including buying political influence, are creating strategic consequences for Europe and NATO is Moldova. I have written more about this subject here.