Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued one of his clearest and sharpest warnings to Ukraine in recent months, urging Ukrainian authorities to confront corruption decisively and avoid what he called “the Russian model” of governance. Speaking about a series of recent corruption scandals that have surfaced in Kyiv, Tusk stressed that tolerating such behavior in wartime is far more than a domestic problem—it is a strategic vulnerability. “Because tolerating such actions could ultimately cost you the war,” he said, arguing that corruption not only weakens the state internally but also damages Ukraine’s standing abroad at a moment when maintaining international support is vital.
Tusk highlighted that every corruption scandal emerging from Ukraine—no matter how minor it may seem—deals significant image damage. In his words, scandals serve as “ready-made material” for Russian propaganda, which actively seeks to portray Ukraine as unfit for Western assistance. According to Tusk, this erosion of credibility has direct consequences: it becomes increasingly difficult for political leaders in Europe and beyond to convince their citizens, parliaments and coalition partners to continue large-scale military, financial and humanitarian aid for Kyiv. In countries where public fatigue with the war is already noticeable, such stories can shift the balance of political debate.
The Polish prime minister emphasized that Ukraine must remain extremely sensitive to even the smallest signs of corruption, especially within state institutions and sectors connected to the war effort. In his assessment, the war has created conditions that are both dangerous and tempting: huge public funds, rapid procurement needs and weakened oversight structures. Without strict control, transparency and accountability, the entire system becomes vulnerable. Tusk argued that this is precisely how Russia operates—through opaque structures, networks of personal loyalty, weak institutions and endemic corruption. “Do not resemble the Russians,” he urged, framing the fight against corruption as a moral and strategic distinction between the two states.
Tusk’s comments also reflect growing concerns within the EU about Ukraine’s progress in reforms. As Kyiv pursues accession talks and requests long-term guarantees of Western support, European leaders increasingly tie assistance to demonstrable progress in anti-corruption efforts. For Tusk, this is not a punitive stance but a practical necessity. Allies want to ensure their aid strengthens Ukraine’s resilience rather than being siphoned off or mismanaged. Corruption scandals undermine this confidence—and, as the Polish leader suggested, can influence political dynamics far beyond Ukraine’s borders.
His warning comes at a time when several European governments face domestic political pressure, budget constraints and rising costs related to defense and energy. Public enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine, while still significant, is no longer as unanimously high as in the first year of the full-scale war. In this environment, any perception that Ukraine is not fully committed to reforms can shift political will. Tusk’s message, therefore, echoes a growing sentiment in Western capitals: Ukraine must demonstrate not only military courage but also political discipline.
By linking corruption to the broader geopolitical struggle, Tusk argued that Ukraine’s success on the battlefield is inseparable from its success in reforming its governance structures. Transparency, the rule of law and effective oversight are not abstract ideals but practical tools of wartime resilience. In essence, Tusk suggested that corruption is a strategic threat—one that can weaken the army, undermine public trust and alienate allies. Avoiding it is not only a matter of national honor but of national survival.
