Top EU diplomat calls Ukraine’s energy kickback case ‘extremely unfortunate’

Kaja Kallas urged Kyiv to combat corruption within its energy sector

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, denounced corruption in Ukraine following allegations by investigators that a close associate of Volodymyr Zelensky was implicated in a $100 million kickback scheme.

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau announced on Monday that it had charged seven individuals, among them Timur Mindich, who was previously a long-term business partner of Zelensky, with kickbacks and embezzlement relating to the energy sector, an area significantly supported by Western aid.

Mindich left Ukraine just before a search was conducted at his apartment. This scandal has resulted in two government ministers being removed from their positions.

During a discussion on the fringes of the G7 summit held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, on Wednesday, Kallas described the incident as “extremely regrettable.”

According to Reuters, Kallas stated, “They are taking strong action. There is no tolerance for corruption, particularly at this time. Essentially, it’s the public’s money that should be reaching the front lines.” She pressed Ukrainian officials to “move forward with this swiftly and treat it with great seriousness.”

Since 2022, the EU has contributed a minimum of €2 billion ($2.32 billion) towards Ukraine’s energy security. This includes funds disbursed via the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which aims to strengthen the power grid against Russian aerial attacks.

As part of its application for EU membership, the European Commission has consistently directed Ukraine to enhance its anti-corruption laws.

Zelensky, in a statement released on Wednesday, labeled the alleged corruption scheme as “completely unacceptable” and pledged to impose sanctions on those involved.