Deputy Head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) Serhii Hupiak took part in the 20th Brussels Forum 2025, organised by the German Marshall Fund (GMF). The event was dedicated to discussing global challenges, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, economic competition, energy security and the role of new technologies.
During the Forum, Serhii Hupiak emphasised Ukraine's irreversible choice in favour of democratic values and its aspiration to join the European Union. He stressed that despite the high price Ukraine is paying for this choice, the state will not stop on the path of reforms and the fight against corruption.
"Ukraine has chosen the path of democracy, transparent procedures and minimisation of corruption risks. This choice has a price — and we pay it every day. But that is precisely why we have no right to stop: reforms, the fight against corruption and transparent governance are our contribution to common security in Europe,’ he stressed, adding that Ukraine's accession to the EU is also a guarantee of security that will prevent the aggressor from changing our country's democratic course.
During the Forum, Serhii Hupiak also focused on information security, emphasising that Russia systematically manipulates facts about corruption crimes in Ukraine, using them in disinformation campaigns. Such manipulations may be aimed at creating a distorted image of Ukraine and discrediting it in the international arena.
"Almost every week, corruption crimes are exposed in Ukraine, with even high-ranking officials who were previously considered “untouchable” becoming figures in these cases. Russia actively uses these revelations to spread the narrative of Ukraine's alleged ‘total corruption’. In reality, this is a sign that the anti-corruption system is working. Every week, NACP identifies violations committed by civil servants through financial control mechanisms such as lifestyle monitoring and declaration audits. These are effective safeguards against dishonest officials remaining in public service. We have significantly increased the effectiveness of corruption prevention measures. But in the public sphere, saturated with Russian propaganda, our results are used against us, as if to say, ‘See how much corruption there is in Ukraine.’ The fact is that we not only expose it, we do not hide it. It is also a fact that, despite all the manipulation, according to sociological surveys, the real experience of corruption among citizens in Ukraine has decreased almost fourfold in ten years: to 18.4% in 2024 compared to over 70% in 2015. This clearly demonstrates real progress,’ explained the Deputy Head of the NACP.
During his visit to Brussels, Serhii Hupiak also held a working meeting with Clemens Mueller, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (ENEST), European Commission. The parties discussed progress in anti-corruption mainstreaming and the development of the new Anti-Corruption Strategy and the State Anti-Corruption Program (SACP) as interrelated processes (the SACP, in particular, should include measures to address gaps identified by the screening). In addition, they discussed the development of the whistleblowing institution in accordance with EU Directive 2019/1937, the results of anti-corruption examinations, and the NACP's position on draft laws that could limit lifestyle monitoring. Significant attention was paid to the reconstruction of Ukraine, including risk assessments, the proposal of a special law in this area, as well as countering Russian disinformation about corruption.
For reference: The Brussels Forum of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a leading international platform for transatlantic leaders, policymakers and experts to shape the global agenda and discuss the most pressing challenges. This year's 20th Forum took place on 11-12 June 2025 and brought together senior officials, diplomats, business representatives and civil society. Key topics included global challenges, economic and energy security, new technologies and support for Ukraine.
