Merz calls on Zelensky to fight corruption

Corruption in Ukraine

Merz calls on Zelensky to fight corruption

In Ukraine, there is great concern in view of the corruption scandal that the West is losing trust. Chancellor Merz explains to President Zelensky what he expects. It’s also about other topics.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj to clarify the corruption scandal in Kiev. “The Chancellor underlined the Federal Government’s expectation that Ukraine will vigorously push forward the fight against corruption and further reforms, particularly in the area of ​​the rule of law,” said the Federal Government.

According to the federal government, Zelenskyj provided information about the investigation. The head of state promised “complete transparency and long-term support for the independent anti-corruption authorities.” Zelensky himself did not mention in his statement that the phone call was about the corruption scandal. However, he explained that he thanked the Chancellor for his advice and would do everything he could to strengthen the trust of his partners.

The corruption investigations are aimed at former and current government members as well as senior state employees and entrepreneurs. Two ministers submitted requests to resign. Ukraine, supported by the West with billions in aid in its defense against Russia’s war of aggression, is still considered one of the most corrupt states in Europe, despite a system of authorities to combat the culture of bribery.

In the unprecedented bribery scandal in the energy and defense sectors, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has imposed sanctions on two main suspects who have fled abroad. According to the published decree, these are Zelensky’s business partner Tymur Minditsch and the financier Olexander Zukerman.

All assets of those convicted will be blocked in Ukraine. This particularly applies to the film studio “Kwartal 95,” which Zelensky founded before his term in office and in which Minditsch holds 50 percent, according to public data. Zelenskyj had presumably transferred his shares to Minditsch in 2019 before the start of the election campaign. The businessman fled to Israel. Zukerman had denied the allegations made to journalists.

The sanctions initially apply for three years. As a rule, such punitive measures are imposed for at least ten years. Zelensky immediately imposed unlimited sanctions against his former sponsor, billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky, and his opponent, ex-President Petro Poroshenko.

The National Anti-Corruption Office and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) of Ukraine had previously announced investigations into the Energoatom company. It’s about bribes that are said to have flowed into the construction of protective devices around energy systems against Russian air strikes. On Tuesday, the anti-corruption office reported five arrests and seven suspected cases. The group is said to have laundered around $100 million (86.4 million euros) in bribes.

The anti-corruption office has also stated that the investigation also involves arms deals and that the accused discussed the replacement of ministers and ambassadors.

Zelenskyj himself reported on the conversation with Merz that he had thanked the Chancellor for German support, including in air defense and in protecting the energy infrastructure, which is repeatedly attacked by Russia. He informed Merz about the situation at the front and also thanked the Chancellor for his political support for the opening of an office in Berlin for the export of Ukrainian weapons. The preparations for this were underway. Minditsch is also associated with the company Fire Point, which has received major orders for drone and rocket production.

According to the federal government, Germany wants to increase the pressure on Russia for serious negotiations with its partners in the West. The topic of the conversation was also the situation of the Ukrainian refugees. Accordingly, Zelenskyj wants to address the issue of increasing numbers of young Ukrainian men leaving the EU. The president had allowed departures for the first time.