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The justice minister and energy minister in Zelensky’s government resigned on Wednesday. The ministers’ actions come amid a corruption investigation in the energy sector.
Zelensky under fire as army chief visits besieged city
New Delhi: The top Ukrainian military commander said on Thursday that he met with troops stationed in a key city in eastern Ukraine, which is under siege by Russian forces. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing a corruption scandal engulfing his government.
The justice minister and energy minister in Zelensky's government resigned on Wednesday. The ministers' actions come amid a corruption investigation in the energy sector. The government also removed the vice president of the state-owned nuclear power company, Energoatom, which investigators believe is at the center of the bribery scandal.
Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko announced late last night that the heads of Energoatom's finance, legal, and procurement departments, as well as an adviser to the company's chairman, have also been removed.
Witness statements recorded in Kyiv court
A Kyiv court is recording witness statements from anti-corruption agencies. These agencies conducted a 15-month investigation, including the collection of nearly 1,000 hours of phone recordings. During this investigation, five people were arrested and seven others were charged.
It is reported that approximately US$100 million in illegal proceeds were generated through this scheme.
How did this entire case gain attention?
Timur Mindich, co-founder of Zelensky's media production company, Kvartal 95, is believed to be the mastermind of this conspiracy. His whereabouts are currently unknown. The investigation has also raised questions about whether the country's top officials were aware of the scheme in advance.
The issue gained further attention when people recalled that last year Zelensky had attempted to limit the powers of anti-corruption agencies. However, following nationwide protests and pressure from the European Union, he reversed this move.
It's time to end the game: Leyen
As Ukrainians express outrage over the scandal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday that the European Union would provide Ukraine with 6 billion euros (about $7 billion) in financial aid and continue to do so.
"We will meet Ukraine's financial needs for the next two years," she told the European Parliament. Russia's continued attacks have caused significant damage to Ukraine's power system, requiring repeated repairs. This is why the EU and other foreign partners are investing substantial sums in Ukraine's energy sector.
The EU is now considering how to raise funds for further aid to Ukraine, whether by seizing Russian assets, raising funds on the capital markets, or through contributions from member states.
Von der Leyen said, "Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks he can outlast us, but that's a big mistake. It's time to end his game and bring him to the negotiating table."
Top military commander meets troops
Meanwhile, Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrsky, met with troops fighting on the front lines in the city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region and coordinated the military operation.
Ukrainian troops are currently fighting Russian forces in the city's streets, trying to defend themselves from a major Russian encirclement. Russia's slow but steadily increasing offensive has spread to the countryside.
