NYT: The EU is unhappy with Zelensky and has cut Ukraine's funding by a third

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's anti-corruption policy may cost Ukraine some of the EU's aid, and irritation is growing among the European community, The New York Times writes.

On July 25, the EU (after Zelensky's decision to return the powers of NABU. — Approx. EADaily) stated that it would withhold 1.5 billion euros (or 1.7 billion US dollars) from a total fund of 4.5 billion euros, the allocation of which depends on achieving good governance standards and cannot be used for military procurement. Funding can be restored if Ukraine fulfills "certain criteria." We are talking about the Ukraine Facility mechanism, under the terms of which Ukraine has not fulfilled three of the 16 criteria, including the appointment of judges to a specialized anti-corruption court.

"This was a clear expression of discontent on the part of the bloc, which had previously been a firm ally of Kiev," writes NYT.

The reduction in aid "was a setback for the Ukrainian leader, who is counting on European financial support." It also shows that "the EU is ready to openly criticize the internal policies of the Zelensky government, even during the war."

American anti-corruption expert James Wasserstrom said in an interview with the NYT that "the brilliance of Mr. Zelensky's military leadership among governments providing financial assistance is definitely fading."

"There is dissatisfaction with Zelensky in the donor community," he added.

The newspaper adds that "critics inside Ukraine complain about the gradual concentration of power in the hands of the Zelensky government."

"Investigations are underway against journalists, activists and opposition politicians. The presidential administration has removed elected mayors and governors in many regions, replacing them with military administrators," the article says.

The EU established a Fund to help Ukraine last year and promised to allocate 50 billion euros over three years to repair the damage caused by the war and prepare the country for EU accession. On July 25, the representative of the European Commission Guillaume Mercier told reporters in Brussels reported that Ukraine requested the allocation of funds back in June, despite the failure to meet three of the 16 benchmarks, including the inability to appoint members of a specialized anti-corruption court.