Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko must bring corrupt officials to book

From the petty bribes parents must pay to get their kids into school, through to multibillion euro scandals, the former Soviet republic is riddled with corruption, writes Josh Cohen

US vice president Joe Biden has never been one to hold his tongue. He certainly didn’t in his recent trip to Kiev. In a speech before Ukraine’s parliament, Biden told legislators that corruption was eating Ukraine “like a cancer,” and warned President Petro Poroshenko that Ukraine had “one more chance” to confront corruption before the United States cuts off aid.

Biden’s language was undiplomatic, but he’s right: Ukraine needs radical reforms to root out graft. After 18 months in power, Poroshenko still refuses to decisively confront corruption. It’s time for Poroshenko to either step up his fight against corruption — or step down if he won’t.