European Parliament criticizes Ukraine for judiciary unreformed and poor fight against oligarchs

The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has criticized Ukraine for its lack of efforts to reform the judiciary and its poor fight against the oligarchs.

The report on implementing the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine passed on Wednesday, EP reports.

The report was approved by 53 affirmative votes, 7 negative votes. 8 abstained.

MEPs praised Ukraine for progress in meeting the commitments under the Association Agreement with the EU, especially in the fields of agriculture, energy, banking, decentralization, digital economy, environment, and electoral procedures.

However, they warned that several reforms were needed to avoid a setback.

MEPs have singled out the judiciary as one of the least trusted institutions in Ukraine.

In the report, they also criticized Ukrainian authorities' attempts to exert political pressure on independent economic institutions and law enforcement agencies and expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in eliminating the oligarchy in the country.

According to MEPs, significant results in fighting against corruption are essential to maintain citizens' support of reforms.

"The country's path since the Revolution of Dignity is impressive. Enormous challenges remain as Russia's aggression, COVID-19 pandemic, and activities of those who continue to ignore the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts. True reformers in Ukraine deserve our continued support to meet the expectations of its citizens," Michael Gahler, a European Parliament rapporteur and German MP, stated.