On Sunday, January 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed his salary over the previous two years as part of a campaign to promote openness and combat endemic corruption.
In a statement on the presidential website, Zelenskiy stated that his income had decreased in 2021 and even more in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.
It was the first time Zelensky, whom his competitors have accused of corruption, openly acknowledged his income.
In 2021, the year before the invasion, Zelenskiy and his family earned 10.8 million hryvnias ($286,168), down 12 million hryvnias from the previous year. The 2021 figure reflected profits from the sale of $142,000 in government bonds.
The Zelenskiy family’s income plummeted to 3.7 million hryvnias in 2022, as he earned less rental income from the real estate he owned as a result of the war.
Zelenskiy has asked on public officials to declare their incomes as part of measures to promote transparency and reduce corruption as Ukraine strives to meet the stringent standards for its bid to join the European Union.
Western allies giving weapons and financial help, as well as international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, have all demanded assurances about measures to eradicate corruption in Ukraine.
The website statement reads in part;
Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to own several trademarks. In particular, in 2021, the process of registering 22 trademarks, which began long before his election as President of Ukraine, was completed.
According to the 2022 declaration, the income of the President and his family members amounted to UAH 3 million 692 thousand 683.
The income of the President’s family in 2022 decreased due to the temporary termination of lease agreements on the territory of Ukraine as a result of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression against our country.
The cash balance of the President’s family at the end of 2022 decreased by almost UAH 1 million 800 thousand.
There were no other changes in 2021 and 2022 regarding assets, real estate, vehicles, etc.