Polish PM Tusk says new corruption scandals could complicate solidarity with Ukraine

He said this on Friday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Tusk noted that he had previously warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the need to be extremely sensitive even to the slightest signs of corruption in his circle, as this affects his reputation as well.

According to Tusk, Russian and pro-Russian forces in Europe are actively spreading narratives about alleged corruption in independent Ukraine.

He also emphasized that in Poland and in several other countries, people are tired of the war and its costs, which makes it difficult to maintain support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

He stressed that Poland is interested in Ukraine remaining an independent state, with functioning institutions and an honest government, and that Poland wants to continue supporting Ukraine and will do so in its defense against Russia, because defending Ukraine also helps defend Poland.

At the same time, Tusk warned that if corruption scandals continue to occur in Ukraine, it will become increasingly difficult to persuade various partners to show solidarity with the country.

He recalled that he had previously cautioned Zelensky against steps that could limit the powers of NABU, noting that such measures could have very negative consequences for Ukraine.

Tusk said that Zelensky had reacted decisively to the scandal in the energy sector and that the Ukrainian state is determined to prosecute those responsible. However, Tusk added that the consequences of the scandal have already occurred and that the cost will be very high.

He also warned the Ukrainian authorities to beware of what he described as the Russian model of corruption, explaining that tolerating such actions could jeopardize Ukraine’s war effort.

As Ukrinform reported, on November 10 NABU announced a special operation to expose corruption in the energy sector. The investigation established that members of a criminal organization had built a large-scale scheme of influence over strategic state-sector enterprises, including Energoatom.

Anti-corruption bureau employees searched the home of businessman and Kvartal 95 co-owner Tymur Mindich, as well as Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who previously served as minister of energy.

On November 11, as part of the investigation into corruption in the energy sector, law enforcement officers detained five people and notified seven individuals of suspicion. Among them were a businessman — the head of the criminal organization; a former adviser to the energy minister; the executive director for physical protection and security of Energoatom; and four staff members of a money-laundering back office.

Zelensky stated that Justice Minister Galushchenko and Energy Minister Hrynchuk must resign, and Prime Minister Svyrydenko submitted a motion to the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss the two ministers.

Photo: gov.pl