Ukraine: Zelensky associates implicated in corruption scandal
Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have uncovered a large corruption and embezzlement network in the country's energy sector. Searches were carried out at the homes of German Galushchenko, the now-dismissed justice minister who formerly served as minister of energy, and influential businessman Tymur Mindich, a long-time confidant of President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the investigators the state suffered losses of 'around 100 million US dollars'.
Suicidal treason
Espreso is outraged:
“This all looks like something between suicide and treason - especially when you consider that Russia's latest strikes targeted precisely the substations that supply electricity to Ukrainian nuclear power plants. One of them is the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, which is at the epicentre of the corruption scandal. ... So when we ask: Where is the promised protection [of the energy infrastructure]? Then remember the sports bags full of euros and dollars that were clearly intended for something else - not for helping people to get through the winter with at least a minimum of comfort or for ensuring that our troops in Pokrovsk have a sufficient number of drones.”
President under pressure from all sides
These are not easy times for Volodymyr Zelensky, Corriere della Sera observes:
“The Russians are pushing forward on the battlefront, corruption scandals are weakening the home front, and the Trump administration seems ready to put obstacles in his path just when what he really needs is weapons and ammunition from his allies. ... Adding to the turmoil is the scandal involving several senior executives of national energy companies. This is a sensitive issue, especially now that Russian bombing has plunged the country into semi-darkness. ... The president, who in the past tried to boycott the work of the investigating authorities, is now welcoming the investigations and calling for a 'clean-up'.”
Not effective as a conspiracy
Radio Kommersant FM doesn't expect the scandal to bring Zelensky down:
“All this can be seen as a major conspiracy against Volodymyr Zelensky. Perhaps with the aim of putting pressure on him to soften his negotiating position or even force him to resign. ... What is striking is that Ukrainian politicians are not exactly rushing to rally around anyone else, even in this very difficult situation. But it's highly unlikely that Zelensky will vacate his post or change his stance. He has distanced himself from Mindich. And the latter has left the country, so it's unlikely that he will compromise his old friend in any way.”