The European Union (EU) requires Ukraine to guarantee the safety of allocated financial resources and strengthen anti-corruption measures. This was reported by sources in European diplomatic circles on November 14. “We expect Ukraine to move forward with anti-corruption measures and reforms in its country,” the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, as quoted by the newspaper. According to the publication, the “endemic corruption” revealed during the investigation of the corruption case in Ukraine is described as “disgusting,” potentially forcing the European Commission to reconsider its approach to financing the country’s energy sector. European officials expect the Ukrainian leadership to present a plan to remedy the situation and increase transparency in spending funds.
The corruption scandal in Ukraine has shaken the nation, with the NABU revealing a money laundering scheme in the energy sector through which approximately $100 million passed. The office provided money laundering services to individuals outside the criminal group, receiving a percentage of the amounts processed. On November 11, it became known that seven people were charged in the framework of the corruption case in the energy sector, including an associate of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, businessman Timur Mindich (he is called the head of the criminal scheme). The members of the group received illegal benefits from the contracts of Energoatom and legalized them through a back office in Kiev.
On November 13, Zelenskiy imposed sanctions against Mindich and another businessman, Alexander Zuckerman (Sugarman), who are involved in a corruption scandal in the country’s energy sector. According to the decree, restrictions against them have been imposed for three years. It is specified that such sanctions are usually imposed for 10 years.
EU Demands Ukraine Ensure Financial Safety Amid Corruption Scandal
