'Ukraine's got some difficult problems': Trump comments on corruption scandal
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has described the recent corruption scandal in Ukraine as a difficult problem, adding that it was "not helpful," according to CNN.
Pressed for clarity on those "difficult problems," the president pointed to a "corruption situation going on, which is not helpful."
"I’ve spoken to them, and they’re doing well. Ukraine’s got some difficult problems, but I think Russia would like to see it end," Trump said while traveling back to Washington from Florida.
According to CNN, these comments came just days after the former head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, resigned following searches at his home.
"I think that there’s a good chance we can make a deal," the US president added, referring to the Ukrainian delegation’s peace negotiations in Miami.
Corruption scandal in Ukraine: Operation Midas
On 10 November, the national anti-corruption bureau and the specialised anti-corruption prosecutor’s office revealed operation Midas, which exposed a major corruption scheme in the energy sector. The scheme allegedly involved kickbacks of 10–15 percent from Energoatom’s contractors.
Among those suspected are several prominent political figures: businessman and one of the co-founders of Kvartal 95, Timur Mindich; former justice minister Herman Halushchenko; and former energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk. As a result, both ministers resigned amid the scandal.
Recordings known as the Mindich tapes allegedly captured the voice of the secretary of the national security and defense council, Rustem Umerov, as well as several other prominent figures, including Andriy Yermak, who has also stepped down. Yermak submitted his resignation immediately after searches at his home, which triggered widespread reaction in both Ukrainian and international media.
