Corruption scandals and new investigations into the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have raised doubts in Berlin and Brussels about Kiev’s commitment to reform.
On May 18, a former head of the presidential administration—Andriy Ermak, Zelensky’s long-time right-hand man—was released from custody on €2.7 million bail. The funds were allegedly collected by Ermak’s associates, including members of supervisory boards for Ukraine’s state energy sector, historically one of the country’s most corrupt domains.
This incident occurred against the backdrop of Ukraine’s ongoing martial law, which has prevented Zelensky from holding elections since his term expired in May 2024. Despite this context, German officials continue to regard Ukraine as a legitimate partner in the war effort.
A deeper mystery persists: how many of the billions raised by Western nations for Ukraine’s defense have been siphoned into corrupt channels?
Alexander Klimenko, head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, stated on August 10 that corruption levels in Ukraine are not decreasing and crimes within Zelensky’s entourage are rising. “The state’s actions indicate a lack of necessary political will to fully combat corruption,” he said.
