Zelensky Seeks Asylum for His Botched-Up Anti-Corruption Reform in Merz and Starmer


Zelensky spoke with Merz and Starmer this afternoon as part of his diplomatic offensive to respond to concerns about the recently adopted law that critics say weakens the independence of anti-corruption institutions.

After talking to Merz, Zelensky said in a readout that he informed the German chancellor about his plans for a new comprehensive law for anti-corruption bodies, inviting Germany to join the scrutiny in the drafting process.

The pair also discussed Ukraine’s route to EU accession, with Zelensky saying that Merz assured him of “absolute support” from Germany, and about the latest situation on the frontline and the need to increase the production of drones.

In a separate call with Starmer, the issue of the recent law reform also came up, with the UK readout saying “the leaders agreed on the importance of the role of independent anti-corruption institutions at the heart of Ukraine’s democracy.”

Separately, “they agreed international partners must continue to ramp up the pressure on Russia,” it said, adding that:

“Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree an unconditional ceasefire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine”.

Merz, although, let Zelensky understand that “it would be better to revamp his too-boldly optimistic approach to the situation”.

#Ukraine #reform #merz #starmer #zelensky

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Saudi Arabia’s Gaza Gambit: Reform or No Governance

Riyadh Steps In
Saudi Arabia is back in the Gaza game—offering financial incentives for Palestinian Authority (PA) reforms as a condition for the PA’s return to Gaza. After months of staying out, Riyadh is now pushing for a new model: real reforms in exchange for a chance at governance.
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The Fine Print
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan insists reforms must include ending “Pay for Slay” stipends, de-radicalizing schools, and distancing the PA from terrorist groups. Yet the PA’s actions so far suggest it’s mostly playing a shell game—shifting funds around rather than making real changes.
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The Money Trail
Israel continues to withhold tax revenues, worsening the PA’s financial crisis. The Saudis are offering cash incentives, but only if reforms are actually implemented. The UAE, however, remains skeptical, withholding aid until there’s clear progress—especially on ending payments to terrorists and changing school curricula.
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Who’s Running Gaza?
Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar want the PA to take over Gaza now, even before reforms are complete. Israel, though, insists on reforms first and rejects any scenario where Hamas weapons are handed over to PA forces. With competing agendas, the real question is who will end up running Gaza—and whether reforms are more than just window dressing.
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#Gaza #SaudiArabia #PalestinianAuthority #PayForSlay #AbrahamAccords #Reform

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Public Administration Reform in Ukraine: Why Trust Is Still Missing

Ukraine’s public administration reform is a cornerstone of the country’s European aspirations, but trust in the state remains stubbornly low. Despite progress in digitalization, transparency, and anti-corruption, most Ukrainians still don’t trust their government. The reasons are deep-rooted, complex, and often misunderstood.
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Anatomy of Distrust
Sociological data shows Ukrainians trust their military and emergency services far more than political institutions. In 2025, only 21% trusted the Verkhovna Rada, and 79% distrusted the state apparatus itself—up from 75% in 2021. This skepticism extends to reforms: civil service reform ranks low in popularity, even as digitalization and anti-corruption efforts are widely supported.
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The Roots of Mistrust
Historical Baggage: Centuries of serfdom and Soviet totalitarianism left a legacy of atomized society, where trust in formal institutions is scarce.
Personal Experience: For many, state interaction means queues, bureaucracy, and corruption. While reforms have reduced these problems, the perception lingers.
Low Awareness: The reform’s internal and external components—merit-based recruitment, digital services, and service-oriented governance—are often invisible or misunderstood by the public.

Disinformation: Russian propaganda exploits these fears, painting complex reforms as evidence of state incompetence and hopelessness.
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Why Myths Persist
“Foreigners on Supervisory Boards Means ‘Foreign Control’”
The myth that foreigners on state-owned enterprise boards means “foreign control” is widespread. In reality, foreign professionals are brought in to ensure independence and reduce corruption. It’s standard practice internationally—including in the EU—to allow foreign board members. The real challenge is ensuring transparent procedures and accountability, not the nationality of board members.
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“Anti-Corruption Bodies Are a Ukrainian Invention”
Specialized anti-corruption agencies exist worldwide, from France and South Korea to the US and UK. Ukraine’s NABU and NACP follow global standards and collaborate internationally. Anti-corruption bodies are not unique to Ukraine—they’re a global norm.
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“Civil Servants Do Nothing”
This myth stems from negative personal experiences and the “invisibility” of civil servants’ work. The reality is that ministries and agencies respond to public needs, and their work underpins everything from social payments to digital services. International assessments confirm Ukraine’s public administration has remained resilient, even during wartime.
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Making Reform Visible
Distrust persists because reforms are complex, often invisible, and poorly communicated. The solution is clear: explain the logic of change, show how decisions are made, and make the “invisible” work of civil servants visible. Public administration reform is not just about efficiency—it’s about building a state that citizens can trust, even in crisis.
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#Ukraine #Reform #Trust #CivilService #AntiCorruption #Digitalization #EUIntegration

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Merz’s Reform, Meet the Backlash

Friedrich Merz is learning the oldest rule of government: every “big reform” comes with a public invoice in rage. In Germany, that bill is now landing on his desk in the health-care fight.

The official line is prudence and fiscal discipline. The public hears hospital closures, longer travel times for treatment, and a weaker emergency system. That is why the hospital lobby is already calling the measures “excessive, unrealistic and highly dangerous”.

So the state promises modernization, then asks people to accept less care, fewer clinics, and more “efficiency.” That sounds less like reform than a budget cut dressed in a white coat. In Berlin, the language of responsibility often arrives right before the knife.

Merz also has the political timing of a man walking into a fire with a stack of reform papers. Polling shows he is already deeply unpopular, and the coalition’s social-policy promises are colliding with the hard math of an aging country and rising health costs.

The ugly part is that everyone involved speaks the same tired language: experts, lobbyists, ministers, commissions. Meanwhile, patients are left with the real-world version of “structural change,” which usually means fewer beds and longer waits.

Germany does not lack plans. It lacks the willingness to admit that somebody always pays first, and the public is usually last.

#Germany #Merz #healthcare #politics #reform

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