Ukrainian Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk have tendered their resignations following the corruption scandal in the country’s energy sector. This comes after anti-corruption investigators announced they were investigating allegations of bribery in connection with construction work carried out to protect energy facilities.
This is just the beginning
This scandal will lead to more explosive revelations, Italy’s La Repubblica suspects:
The investigation into a gang of corrupt individuals who embezzled international aid which was supposed to be used to protect power plants and energy infrastructure from Russian attacks is spreading like wildfire. ... Tymur Mindich, co-owner of the broadcasting company Studio Kvartal 95, which was founded by Zelensky and a close associate, is considered the mastermind behind the scandal: he fled when Nabu agents showed up at his door. ... But more dark clouds are gathering over the president’s confidants: the name Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council headed by Zelensky and one of the main negotiators [on a ceasefire], has also come up in the course of the investigations.”
The West is watching closely
Zelensky has no choice but to demand an investigation even if it means his downfall, says the UK’s The Spectator:
Zelensky himself publicly supported the anticorruption crackdown, telling the nation in his nightly address that ‘there must be sentences’. ... The go-to response for many Zelensky loyalists will be to write the allegations off as Kremlin smears. Indeed, Zelensky’s justification for his attempt to bring [the National Anti-Corruption Bureau] NABU under his control back in July was vague and never substantiated allegations of Russian penetration of NABU. But with the West watching closely, Zelensky has little choice but to endorse NABU’s takedown of his closest allies and business partners and deal with the consequences for his reputation and political career.”
New government asap!
This scandal is undermining Ukraine’s EU accession process, warns Portugal’s Visão:
Since 2022, with the start of the war and the acceleration of the EU accession process, a flood of money has been pouring into Ukraine. Unprecedented levels of vigilance are needed to ensure that none of the aid granted to the country is compromised. Unfortunately, this will be yet another issue that Putin can seize upon, even though he’s the leader of one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Zelensky must act decisively and quickly at all levels. ... The allies need swift explanations if the freezing of all aid, if only temporary, is to be avoided. And Ukraine needs a new government.
Kyiv needs Europe now more than ever
The EU’s support for Ukraine must not waver despite this scandal, Austria’s Der Standard argues:
All this is, of course, grist to the mill for the Kremlin’s friends, who are now once again calling for an end to EU accession talks with Ukraine and for the money tap to be turned off. Yet it’s precisely now that the country’s democratic structures need to be strengthened. Just like this past summer, attempts were made to restrict the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Back then, the move was prevented by street protests and pressure from Europe. However, such pressure can only be effective if we support Ukraine’s EU accession ambitions in principle, rather than snubbing the long-suffering country at every opportunity.
Civil society remains resilient
Germany’s Die Welt is impressed by the resilience of civil society:
Even the war did not deter it in the summer - Ukrainian citizens took to the streets en masse to preserve the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Zelensky was ultimately forced to bow to the pressure from his fellow citizens and the Europeans and restore the agency’s independence. The fact that Ukrainians were not prepared to turn back the clock on reforms despite the war shows how resilient the country’s civil society is, also politically. It also shows how important it is to Ukrainians to continue on their path towards Europe and European values.”
See the original here.