corruption in Russia and Eastern Europe is still endemic

Corruption in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia is still rampant, as evidenced by Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, which called on world leaders to finally tackle the problem.
Meanwhile, the annual index, released on January 31, shows that in many countries corruption rates hit historic lows last year.
It also shows that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was “the most brutal result of endemic corruption and kleptocracy” of all of 2022, said Altynai Myrzabekova, regional adviser for Eastern Europe. East and Central Asia at Transparency International.
“Leaders in Eastern Europe and Central Asia must wake up and finally commit to fighting endemic corruption and supporting democracy, stability and fundamental freedoms for all people in the region,” Myrzabekova said in a press release accompanying the release of the index.
The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks 180 countries and territories on the perception of corruption in the public sector using data from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, consulting firms and think tanks.
The average score for Eastern Europe and Central Asia has fallen by one point in 2021 to 35 (the highest possible index value is 100). At the same time, only three countries in the region – Georgia (56), Armenia (46) and Montenegro (45) – have an index value above the world average (43).
The lowest rates in Eurasia are in Turkmenistan (19), Azerbaijan (23) and Tajikistan (24). Turkey (36), Bosnia and Herzegovina (34) and Azerbaijan posted the lowest results in the history of the index.
Serbia’s score (36) was also quite low for the Balkan country, where Transparency International says politicians wield significant influence over the justice system, which has had a negative impact on several prominent organized crime cases, including some involved senior officials.
Kazakhstan’s result (36) is one point lower than last year, while three countries in the region – Armenia, Moldova (39) and Uzbekistan (31) – significantly improved their performance.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a stark reminder of the threat to global peace and security posed by government corruption and lack of accountability,” Transparency International said.
Kleptocrats in Russia (28) have amassed huge fortunes by swearing loyalty to President Vladimir Putin in return for lucrative government contracts and protecting their economic interests, the organization said.
Putin’s lack of control over power has allowed him to pursue his geopolitical ambitions with impunity and has destabilized the European continent, Transparency International has said.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine (33) had a low satisfied record, but it was gradually reforming and improving them, the organization noted. Even after the outbreak of hostilities, the country prioritized anti-corruption reforms and adopted a new national anti-corruption strategy in June.
“However, wars disrupt normal procedures and increase risk by allowing corrupt actors to pocket funds for reconstruction, as became clear in mid-January when investigations revealed war profiteering by the Ministry of Defense and the Department of Community and Territorial Development,” Transparency International said. .
The global average of the index (43) remains unchanged for the 11th consecutive year. The index is led by Denmark (90), followed closely by Finland and New Zealand (87 each).
The bottom rows of the index were occupied by South Sudan (13), Syria (13) and Somalia (12), each of which is plagued by conflict.