During UNCAC CoSP11, ILI Chairwoman spoke about Russia`s economic influence as a military threat

War rarely starts with tanks. Much more often, it begins with state capture – the systematic penetration of politics, the economy, the media, and strategic assets.

Ukraine’s experience shows that long before 2022, Russia tried to take over Ukraine without weapons – through corruption networks, proxy structures, and control over critical infrastructure. Corruption became a key tool in that strategy.

During an international discussion, Tetiana Khutor, ILI Chairwoman, emphasized: State capture did not prevent the full-scale invasion – it prepared the ground for it.

Ukraine’s response has been to strengthen its anti-corruption architecture, use sanctions, pursue wartime asset confiscation, and develop an investment screening system – tools designed to block and neutralize hostile influence before it turns into a military threat.

This experience is universal – and relevant far beyond Ukraine.

This media content is produced by NGO “Institute of Legislative Ideas” with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of NGO “Institute of Legislative Ideas” and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.