G7 ambassadors welcome Zelenskyy's support for Energoatom corruption probe
Illustrative photo: G7 welcomes Zelenskyy's efforts (Getty Images)
The G7 ambassadors welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to support the corruption investigation at Energoatom, where his former business partner was implicated, according to the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Ukraine.
"We welcome Zelenskyy's cooperation and support for NABU/SAPO's independent investigation. We count on leadership to continue its anticorruption efforts, which are key to Euro-Atlantic integration," the statement said.
The ambassadors also made clear that despite the corruption scandal, G7 countries will continue supporting Ukraine's energy resilience as Russia keeps targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy said on November 15 that Ukraine will completely overhaul key state-owned enterprises in the energy sector and fully renew their leadership alongside a financial audit.
The corruption scandal around Energoatom triggered a major political shock inside Ukraine. Western partners, normally quick to criticize corruption in Ukraine, are reacting more cautiously this time.
What we know about the "Mindich tapes"
On November 10, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) reported uncovering a large-scale corruption scheme at the state company Energoatom.
The scheme involved money laundering and illegal enrichment orchestrated by Ukrainian officials. Losses from its activities amount to billions of hryvnias. The scheme was overseen by businessman and former Zelenskyy business partner Timur Mindich.
Amid the scandal, Zelenskyy announced personnel changes in the government affecting two ministries: energy and justice, whose leaders were implicated.
Herman Halushchenko resigned as Minister of Justice, and Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk also submitted her resignation. Zelenskyy has already removed both ministers from the National Security and Defense Council.
