KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rode into office this year on a pledge to tackle the corruption that was rife under his two most recent predecessors.

Analysts and activists have given him strong marks so far, which is why recent descriptions in Washington of Ukraine as a graft-ridden country are especially stinging for officials in Kyiv.

In the first months of his administration, Zelenskiy has managed to win quick passage of anti-corruption legislation to identify illegal wealth held by officials, create a special anti-corruption court that the West had for years urged be established, and start up a hotline for whistleblowers to report wrongdoing.

Still, Zelenskiy faces massive challenges while trying to end the nation’s long legacy of corruption.