⚠️⚠️ Appeal to the Ambassadors of European States in Ukraine 🇪🇺
Dear Ambassadors,
We address you as representatives of countries that are strategic partners of Ukraine during wartime and that actively support reforms and anti-corruption efforts.
We kindly ask you to pay attention to the situation in Ukraine’s forestry sector, particularly the activities of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine,” headed by Yuriy Bolokhovets.
This appeal is addressed, in particular, to:
🇬🇧 The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine — Neil Crompton
🇫🇷 The Ambassador of France to Ukraine — Gaël Veyssière
🇩🇪 The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany — Heiko Thoms
🇮🇹 The Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine — Carlo Formosa
🇳🇱 The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands — Alle Dorhout
🇵🇱 The Ambassador of Poland to Ukraine — Piotr Łukasiewicz
🇭🇺 The Ambassador of Hungary — Antal Heizer
🇸🇰 The Ambassador of the Slovak Republic — Pavol Vizdal
🇨🇿 The Ambassador of the Czech Republic — Luboš Veselý
🇸🇪 The Ambassador of Sweden — Martin Åberg
🇳🇴 The Ambassador of Norway — Lars Ragnar Oalerud Hansen
🇧🇪 The Ambassador of Belgium — Luc Jacobs
🇪🇸 The Ambassador of Spain — Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu
🇫🇮 The Ambassador of Finland — Jaakko Lehtovirta
🇱🇻 The Ambassador of Latvia — Andris Peldegovičs
🇱🇹 The Ambassador of Lithuania — Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė
🇪🇪 The Ambassador of Estonia — Annely Kolk
💬 In the public domain, allegations have been voiced regarding illicit enrichment within the sector’s leadership, with Yuriy Bolokhovets personally accused, as well as claims of collecting “black cash” from subordinates, unlawful tenders involving kickbacks amounting to hundreds of millions of hryvnias, and numerous criminal proceedings against officials within the system. Representatives of the professional community report a multiple increase in criminal activity in the forestry sector following the change in leadership.
💬 Particular public outrage has been caused by the level of remuneration: approximately UAH 600,000 (≈ €15,000) per month for the head of the enterprise and up to UAH 1,000,000 (≈ €25,000) for certain deputies, while an ordinary employee receives UAH 15,000–18,000 (≈ €375–450).
💬 Civil society organizations and activists insist on an independent international audit of the activities of SE “Forests of Ukraine,” as well as a review of the role of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine, headed by Viktor Smal.
❗ In light of the above, we respectfully request:
— To initiate an independent international audit;
— To ensure monitoring of the use of funds and reforms within the sector;
— To assess compliance of the management with EU transparency and anti-corruption standards.
‼️ In wartime conditions, corruption risks in strategic sectors pose a threat not only to the economy but also to national security. Ukrainian society counts on the principled position of its European partners.
We urge you to initiate a transparent international audit and strengthen monitoring of the use of funds in the sector.
Respectfully,
EcoFactor Community!