EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, has discussed Ukraine's achievements in combating corruption, noting that the anti-corruption institutions established after the Revolution of Dignity have proven their effectiveness.

Maasikas mentioned in an interview with European Pravda that Ukraine truly started its fight against corruption only after the events of the Revolution of Dignity.

"The institutions and agencies created back then are working well. This is evident in the results of their work and in their stability. For example, Artem Sytnyk, the head of NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine), was the first leader of a law enforcement agency in Ukraine to serve a full term of 7 years. That's a good sign. New heads of these institutions are selected according to very high standards," said the diplomat.

According to him, another element in the fight against corruption is the determination of the political class and the politicians' genuine desire to combat corruption.

"Another litmus test will see during the last days and weeks. I am talking about the issue with the restoration of electronic declarations for officials and the redefinition of politically exposed persons (the interview was conducted on Tuesday, before the vote in the Verkhovna Rada)," Maasikas noted, adding that the EU does not have an absolute requirement for the public disclosure of e-declarations.

Another element in the fight against corruption, according to him, is the demand from journalists and Ukrainian society.

Maasikas also mentioned the corruption scandal in the Ministry of Defence when media reported that the department was allegedly procuring food for the military at significantly inflated prices.

"There were serious discussions about whether it is patriotic to go public with this type if things this during a full-scale war... Your colleagues decided to take this step. It shows to me that corruption in Ukraine has become an unpatriotic matter. Instead, there is a popular demand to root it out. This demand exists and will remain. So, I say that for me, this glass is more than half full," he emphasised.

Maasikas also explained in the interview the terms of Ukraine's accession to the EU. Additionally, he revealed whether Ukraine's EU accession was possible in 'turbo tegime'. He also addressed the recommendations of the Venice Commission regarding various Ukrainian laws and Kyiv's response to them.