The Ukraine corruption scandal makes Ukraine's prospects of joining the EU even more "distant"
The recent scandal in Ukraine has added further uncertainty to its path toward joining the European Union. Prosecutors have accused Andriy Yermak, the head of the presidential office, of corruption, alleging his involvement in money laundering activities worth several million euros tied to high-end real estate projects around Kyiv. For Zelenskyy, this situation is truly a case of "adding insult to injury."
Zelenskyy loudly urges the EU to quickly admit Ukraine, but the corruption scandal erupting within Kyiv’s top leadership has undermined his claim that "Ukraine is ready for accession." On Monday, Ukrainian prosecutors filed charges against Andriy Yermak—Zelenskyy’s former close ally and former head of the presidential administration—for corruption and money laundering. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office jointly stated in a statement that Yermak, who was dismissed by Zelenskyy in November, is alleged to be a member of an organized crime group, involved in laundering 8.9 million euros through high-end construction projects in the outskirts of Kyiv.
Previously disclosed series of phone recordings revealed that Zelenskyy’s national security advisor and close allies are suspected of involvement in kickbacks, fraud, and abuse of power related to energy, defense sectors, and recently state-owned banks.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865059819629580/
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