Scandal involving Stefanishyna and ARMA may affect Ukraine’s EU integration process, – Mahda

According to an investigation published by Ukrainska Pravda on June 4, the National Agency for Asset Recovery (ARMA) transferred the management of the Trade Unions Building in central Kyiv to a private company linked to Mykhailo Stefanishyn - the former husband of Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.

This is already the fourth major property transferred to this company in recent times.

Journalists note that despite the formal dissolution of the marriage, Mr. Stefanishyn remains in the close business circle of the official. Meanwhile, Ms. Stefanishyna herself is a defendant in a criminal case regarding the embezzlement of UAH 2.5 million allocated for adapting Ukrainian legislation to EU standards. The case is still under review by the High Anti-Corruption Court.

The situation was also commented on by political analyst and Director of the Institute of World Policy, Yevhen Mahda:

"The scandal around ARMA and Stefanishyna could lead to the failure of negotiations to open the "Fundamentals" cluster in the EU accession talks. This would be the result of actions by those who disregard the principles of European integration and turn state institutions into instruments of personal influence", said the expert.

According to Mahda, the de facto involvement of officials’ family networks in the management of state assets through ARMA is a clear case of conflict of interest and raises serious concerns about public policy in the field of asset management.

"Let's not forget that the cluster is called "Fundamentals." And the professional background of some officials - including Ms. Stefanishyna - includes time spent working under Justice Minister Olena Lukash during the Yanukovych presidency. That's also an important signal to our international partners," Mahda added.