Ukraine&#x27;s corruption is far more pervasive.  It&#x27;s a robber culture.<p>Putin has been pragmatic in the sense of greasing some people and cracking down on others to at least try form a cohesive, functioning country.<p>What should really be stated is that corruption is among the most difficult of problems to eliminate.  If you crack down too hard, you get massive capital flight, or they fight back.  Too little, and the country doesn&#x27;t function.