Dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said widespread corruption is blocking efforts to end the war and rebuild Ukraine. In a television interview, he said the country’s current government structure, decision-making methods and level of corruption make it impossible to effectively end the conflict or create conditions suitable for reconstruction.

Fedorov said the problem was not confined to any one person. He alleged that hundreds of people in the Ukrainian government were connected to corruption networks and had benefited from public funds for years. According to him, this has slowed the process of making proper decisions.

He also said a recent anti-corruption operation in Ukraine targeted an organized corruption ring. The group was alleged to involve several members of parliament and several members of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office. The source did not provide further details on the operation, the allegations or any responses from those accused.