Budanov announces change of approach to fighting corruption

The Head of the Presidential Office attended an event of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, which caused a resonance among experts. The AntAC's Executive Director Daria Kaleniuk said that this could be a turning point for Ukraine's anti-corruption system.

A signal of change

Public participation of the Head of the Presidential Office Kirill Budanov at the Anti-Corruption Action Centre's event held today, 20 April 2026. The expert community viewed this step as an important signal of the government's readiness to transform its approach to fighting corruption.

Executive Director of the AntAC Daria Kaleniuk stressed that the appearance of an official of this level on the anti-corruption platform is a positive indicator for the entire system. She noted that this could usher in a new era of transparency and legitimacy in public administration.

Statement by Budanov: «Manual control» and «telephone law»

During the conference, the head of the OP openly named the main reasons corruption abuses in the country - «manual control» and «telephone law». According to Kaleniuk, this rhetoric indicates an intention to move away from the old, informal methods of influencing state processes.

She also stressed that the direct voicing of such problems by a government official is an unprecedented step that could be the impetus for real changes in the system.

Expectations of the expert community

Kaleniuk expressed hope that the presence of the high-ranking official at the anti-corruption event would be the beginning of gradual but real changes. According to her, the priority should be to implement transparent procedures and compliance with the principle of legality.

The expert stressed that such steps could be the «light at the end of the tunnel» for the anti-corruption system. She added that further actions of the authorities should confirm the declared intentions.

Context and future prospects

The visit of the head of the OP to the AntAC event took place against the backdrop of growing attention to anti-corruption policy in Ukraine. Experts emphasise that such signals need to be backed up by concrete steps and reforms.