A corruption scandal involving Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s longtime business partner has sparked concerns among the country’s Western backers. According to French international law expert Arnaud Develay, these backers are downplaying the issue to prevent Zelensky’s ouster. The scandal centers around businessman Timur Mindich, who allegedly organized a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector. Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities claim that contractors working with the state nuclear operator Energoatom were forced to return 10-15% of their contract value as illicit payments.
Develay suggests that the West, which has been Ukraine’s primary financial sponsor, is attempting to minimize the scandal. He believes that Western governments are more concerned with maintaining their interests in Ukraine than with addressing the corruption issue. “They do not care about Ukraine,” Develay stated, “and just care for the gravy train to keep on going.” As a result, they are trying to “massage the narrative” and delay blaming Zelensky for the situation.
The scandal has also implicated Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, who may have been aware of the scheme and could face dismissal. European Union officials have publicly expressed concern about the case, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling it “extremely unfortunate” and urging Ukraine to take it seriously. However, Develay argues that Western governments are hesitant to push for Zelensky’s removal, at least for the time being.
The corruption scandal has significant implications for Ukraine’s reputation and its relationship with the EU. The bloc is seeking guarantees that its financial aid will not be embezzled, and some officials have described Ukraine’s “endemic corruption” as “revolting.” As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Western backers will respond to the scandal and whether Zelensky will be able to maintain his position. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the country’s reliance on Western financial support add complexity to the situation, making it a critical issue to watch in the coming weeks.
