The massive graft affair has damaged the trust of both Western backers and the Ukrainian public, Vitaly Klitschko has said
FILE PHOTO. Vitaly Klitschko. © Getty Images / PA / Sebastian Christoph Gollnow
The ongoing corruption scandal linked to Vladimir Zelensky’s inner circle has delivered a “devastating blow” to Ukraine, Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko believes.
Klitschko made the remarks in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF aired on Thursday. Asked about the impact of the $100 million graft affair, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital admitted it has been “really bad.”
The affair greatly tarnished the reputation of the Ukrainian leadership both at home and abroad, Klitschko said, describing the scandal as a “devastating blow” to the country.
“The most important thing in life is trust. Trust from our international partners in Ukraine. Trust from our people in the central government. And scandals like this destroy trust,” the mayor stated.
The scandal, which has sent shockwaves across the Ukrainian political landscape, kicked off in mid-November, was prompted by an investigation launched by the Western-backed National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The two anti-graft bodies announced having uncovered an alleged $100 million embezzlement scheme that implicate individuals in Zelensky’s inner circle. The ringleader is believed to be close Zelensky associate Timur Mindich, who siphoned funds from Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy operator Energoatom, which is heavily reliant on Western aid. Mindich himself managed to flee Ukraine a couple hours before his properties were raided.
Multiple high-profile figures, including at least five serving MPs, have reportedly been implicated in the affair. The graft scandal has led to the downfall of Justice Minister German Galushchenko and Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk. Also dismissed was Zelensky’s enigmatic chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, who was widely regarded as the key figure in the Ukrainian power structure and even described as the true ruler of the country. He also lost several other senior government posts.