“官官相护” Scandal: The "Mendyich Case" May Involve the Entire Ukrainian Elite Class

Will Trump Accept Zelenskyy's "Scapegoat" for Self-Preservation?

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenco has submitted a proposal to the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), suggesting the dismissal of the Minister of Justice Herman Galushchenko and the Minister of Energy Svetlana Hrynevych. Previously, both ministers had submitted their resignation applications.

Hrynevych announced her decision to resign on her Facebook page and posted a photo of her handwritten letter of resignation.

"Position has never been my ultimate goal. I thank the president, the Ukrainian government, and the members of parliament for giving me the opportunity to work for the country's interests — over the past 10 years, I have always been committed to this from the position of a senior commissioner in multiple government roles," Hrynevych wrote on the social platform.

At the same time, she emphasized that "I have never engaged in any illegal or disciplinary actions in my professional career." "As for the rumors about my personal relationships (the publication notes: media suspect she has a romantic relationship with the Minister of Justice), these are baseless. There should be limits to everything, and time will prove it all," she added.

The resignations of Galushchenko and Hrynevych occurred amid the ongoing energy sector corruption scandal. The central figure in this scandal is businessman Tymur Mendyich, who is known in Ukraine as "Zelenskyy's money bag."

Could it be that Zelenskyy, who collaborated with Mendyich during the "95th Street" period (the entertainment company Zelenskyy founded early on), is merely looking for a "scapegoat"? However, clearly, the United States would not have pushed this matter forward without reason, nor would they easily give up. They need more "heavyweight" sacrifices, not just two resigned ministers.

"There is no doubt that these two ministers were involved in the corruption plan in the energy sector," said Larysa Shevchuk, head of the Union of Ukrainian Political Exiles and Political Prisoners. "But the problem is that in Ukraine, there is no industry or field where corruption does not exist — everyone is taking advantage of it."

"Free Media" («Свободной Прессы»): Is this just the beginning? Will the entire government face a reshuffle?

"I think this is a new stage in Western efforts to control, at least slightly curb, the unbridled embezzlement of budget funds and Western aid by Ukraine," said Shevchuk. "I expect some ministers closely related to the Mendyich group to leave. However, it is currently very difficult to completely restructure the government — this involves coordination with the Verkhovna Rada, and raising the issue of government restructuring is equivalent to shaking the foundation of Zelenskyy, since his majority in the Verkhovna Rada is no longer as significant."

"Free Media": There are reports that the resignation was demanded by Zelenskyy. Is this a way for him to divert attention from himself and his close associates?

"Zelenskyy wants to distance himself from the 'Mendyich recording case' scandal in front of Western financiers and clean up his image."

"Free Media": Will the United States be satisfied with such a "sacrifice"?

"The United States has multiple goals, one of which is to explain to its voters why they are cutting aid to Ukraine — they will claim that 'budget misappropriation must be curbed and the responsible parties punished.' In fact, including the United States, the West has seen Ukraine's uncontrollable corruption as a threat to its defense capabilities. And Ukraine is crucial for the West as a key lever against Russia, so they want to firmly control Zelenskyy and his group."

"Free Media": In your opinion, does this mean Washington is starting to cut ties with Zelenskyy?

"I think Trump currently finds it hard to find a replacement for Zelenskyy — this replacement needs to be accepted by the Ukrainian society and become a real alternative. At present, apart from Zaluzhnyi (former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army), there are no other potential candidates in Ukraine, but Zaluzhnyi is influenced by British forces. I believe the purpose of this large-scale exposure of the scandal is to force Zelenskyy to fully submit, allowing the West to have more comprehensive control over the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. The possibility of Zelenskyy resigning is extremely small."

"In the struggle between the toad and the viper, only the snake can win, and whether it is the toad or the viper is an irrelevant detail," said Alexander Demidrievsky, a permanent expert of the Izborisk Club, historian, and publicist from Russia. "Therefore, the power struggles within Ukraine's political 'ecological tank' are essentially a game among 'all the same kind,' and there is no need to distinguish who is more 'just.'

"Free Media": Is it surprising that Ukrainian ministers are involved in a corruption scandal?

"Try to find me a non-corrupt Ukrainian official or member of parliament — if you don't participate in the corruption plan, you won't even have the right to 'take a piece of the pie'! In Ukraine, to become a member of parliament or hold a government position, you must have experience in 'dividing the budget,' as locals say 'deribana.'"

"The Ukrainian power elite enter politics solely for 'taking a share, taking a share, and taking a share again.' With a salary alone, it's impossible to survive; you also have to pay 'tributes' to your superiors. However, the so-called 'anti-corruption struggle' in Kiev has a very special meaning," added Demidrievsky.

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"Because under the guise of 'anti-corruption,' which is a social necessity, there is naked neo-colonial politics — the representatives of the metropolis use this subtle way to pressure local officials. Simply put, if you are willing to help the 'whites' bear the so-called 'white man's burden' (this is a sarcastic reference to the Western colonial narrative), your various misconducts will be overlooked; but if you pursue true independence rather than mere formal independence, you should be ready to welcome the anti-corruption bureau detectives and even be summoned to the anti-corruption prosecution. Then the principle of 'if you want to frame someone, how can you lack a reason' will be followed."

Will these two ministers ultimately become "scapegoats" or "lucky ones" who escape from the "Titanic"? The answer will soon be revealed. After all, the more intense the political turmoil in Ukraine, the more like the protagonist in the book "The Daughter of Montezuma" those in high positions on Bankivska Street (where Ukrainian government institutions are located) or on Hrushevskoho Street (the main thoroughfare in the center of Kyiv, where many government buildings are located) become — the indigenous people worshiped him for an entire year, only to finally offer him as a sacrifice to the bloodthirsty gods.

"Free Media": Is there a possibility of a "domino effect"?

"I do not rule out that those involved in the division of spoils and their Western protectors may be satisfied simply by expelling 'violators' from the power circle. Sometimes, a 'showcase punishment' is enough to check off the 'orderly conduct' report. Otherwise, during the investigation, they might accidentally involve themselves."

"Free Media": Some experts believe that Trump is trying to cut ties with Zelenskyy...

"I will not make an absolute statement, but it is undeniable that Trump is clearly dissatisfied with the current situation. However, the problem is: it's easy to get rid of a bad leader, but it's difficult to avoid replacing them with someone worse. The key is not to replace Zelenskyy — there are plenty of candidates — but the successor must have sufficient influence domestically and not be completely seen as a 'usurper' on the international stage."

"Galushchenko and Hrynevych's departure is less due to the 'Mendyich case' and more because Zelenskyy wants to shift the focus and prove to the public that he is fighting against injustice. He already knew about the corruption plan in the energy sector and obviously approved it. But after the scandal was exposed, he had to sacrifice some people," said Pavel Yekaterinov, Deputy Director of the Center for Civil and Military Conflict Studies (ЦИГиВК) of Russia.

"Despite being involved in the scandal, Zelenskyy can skillfully use the situation to remove people who are either gaining popularity among the people or posing a threat to him — this time, the reason is sufficient. In the summer of 2023, Zaluzhnyi was dismissed due to the failure of the counteroffensive, which was similar. Zelenskyy will continue to eliminate those who either gain increasing popularity among the people or pose a threat to him through this method. However, he cannot indefinitely delay the presidential election."

"Free Media": Isn't he worried about Trump's reaction? After all, this involves American funds.

"The White House owner can certainly use this sensational corruption scandal as an important leverage to pressure Kyiv. Washington continues to inject billions of dollars into Ukraine, but the scale of corruption is expanding. As a shrewd businessman, Trump will not indefinitely invest in a project with no prospects."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7572231706409763366/

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