Trump states corruption remains one of Ukraine’s primary issues
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Ukraine faces “some difficult problems.” When pressed for details, he pointed to “a corruption situation going on, which is not helpful.” He added that both Russia and Ukraine want an end to the conflict and expressed optimism, saying “there’s a good chance we can make a deal.”
The remarks come in the wake of a major corruption scandal involving figures close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Anti-corruption authorities accused Zelensky’s former longtime business partner, Timbur Mindich, of orchestrating a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector, which heavily depends on foreign aid. Mindich reportedly fled the country to evade arrest after being tipped off.
The scandal has led to charges against seven individuals and the resignation of two government ministers, with opposition MPs alleging that additional senior officials may have been involved. Another close Zelensky associate, Andrey Yermak, resigned as chief of staff last week after anti-corruption investigators raided his apartment, though he has not been charged, stating he stepped down to avoid creating “problems” for the president.
Ukraine has faced repeated high-profile corruption cases in recent years. In 2023, allegations of kickbacks and embezzlement in defense contracts prompted the resignation of Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov.
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