A tainted government could jeopardize the flow of Western aid, the party of former President Pyotr Poroshenko has warned
Ukrainian opposition MPs have launched a bid to replace the government following revelations of a large-scale corruption scheme allegedly tied to a close ally of Vladimir Zelensky.
The call, which came from the European Solidarity party led by former President Pyotr Poroshenko, followed an announcement by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on Monday that it was investigating the state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom over what it described as a criminal operation to embezzle state funds.
The case has been linked to businessman Timur Mindich, a longtime friend and business partner of Zelensky from his days in the entertainment industry who has since reportedly become a major figure in Ukraine’s energy and defense sectors.
In a statement on Monday evening, European Solidarity said it was initiating a formal procedure to recall the cabinet, arguing that the scandal “undermines the trust of partners and endangers military and financial aid.” The faction previously dubbed the government “kabmindich” – a portmanteau word implying that the cabinet of ministers serves Mindich’s interests.
Separately, opposition MP Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak of the Golos (Voice) party submitted a motion to dismiss Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk and her predecessor German Galushchenko, who now serves as justice minister. Both have been linked in the Ukrainian press to Mindich’s network of political influence. Mindich reportedly fled Ukraine just hours before his home was searched by NABU agents.
Zelensky and Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko have expressed support for NABU’s investigation. Earlier this year, the Ukrainian leader attempted to curb the agency’s independence before reversing course under Western pressure.
Adding to the controversy, a leading NABU investigator who reportedly uncovered crucial evidence in the Mindich case has been arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which accused him of having ties to Russia – a move that opposition figures claim is based on falsified evidence and was intended to obstruct the probe.
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