Corruption probe puts top figures under scrutiny – DW – 11/13/2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stressing his hope that Ukraine will “vigorously pursue the fight against corruption.”

A The statement said The two talked about the corruption investigation in Ukraine, with Zelensky promising full transparency as well as “long-term support for independent anti-corruption agencies, and further rapid steps to regain the trust of the Ukrainian people, European partners, and international donors.”

The leaders talked about the need to increase pressure on Moscow to force Russia to enter into “serious negotiations” on a peace agreement, as well as “more effective use of Russia’s stable state assets.”

Germany has backed a plan for Ukraine to exploit Russian real estate amid opposition from Belgium. The EU has said it will take a decision this December.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Said on Thursday that the EU would distribute a €5.9 billion ($6.8 billion) loan to Ukraine and promised more money to Kiev.

“We will meet Ukraine’s financial needs for the next two years,” he said in a speech at the European Parliament.

Von der Leyen said she still hoped to persuade EU member states to move ahead with a plan to provide Ukraine with a €140 billion loan from frozen Russian assets.

He said he hoped to convince Belgium, which continues to block the proposal amid legal fears, adding: “We are working closely with Belgium and all member states on options.”

EU finance ministers were meeting in Brussels this morning to discuss the bloc’s economic agenda, including the urgent question of Ukraine’s financing.

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office issued an order imposing “personal economic” sanctions on the president’s former business associate, Timur Mindich, and another businessman, Oleksandr Tsukerman.

Ukrainian media have identified Timur Mindych, a businessman, as one of the alleged ringleaders. massive corruption scandal The state nuclear power company Energoatom is incorporated.

Mindich is co-owner of Kvartal 95, the media production company Zelensky founded before entering politics.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) – which works independently of the government – ​​announced this week after a 15-month-long investigation that several individuals had formed a network and “performed a large-scale corruption scheme to influence strategic enterprises in the public sector, particularly Energoatom.”

NABU released excerpts of tapes in which the network discussed using code names and secret language to blackmail and pressure Energoatom contractors to extort kickbacks worth 10% – 15% of contract values.

Investigators say the network laundered about $100 million through a secret office based in Kiev.

The scandal is one of the most serious government crises to emerge during the presidency of Zelensky, who was elected on a mandate to root out corruption.

A growing corruption scandal in Ukraine’s energy sector has hit the country’s ruling elite and ousted two ministers from the government.

Also, EU finance ministers discussed the question of funding Ukraine in the future during a meeting in Brussels to discuss the bloc’s economic agenda.

We’ll be keeping track of all the latest developments right here.