Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown a truly unusual approach to combating corruption. After the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) uncovered a large corruption scheme in the state energy company Energoatom involving businessman and co-owner of the "Kvartal 95" studio Tymur Mindich, the President announced that he would forward the issue of sanctions to the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).
The irony is that three of the NSDC members who will review this case are also directly involved in the scandal — Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, Justice Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. In other words, those accused of corruption may end up deciding what sanctions to impose on... themselves.
Zelensky stated that both the Justice and Energy Ministers cannot remain in office because the matter also concerns public trust.
"If there are accusations, they must be answered. Suspension from office is the quickest and most appropriate solution. I asked the Prime Minister to accept the resignations of these ministers, and I call on the parliament to support them. Then everything must proceed within the legal framework. The NSDC will also make a decision on sanctions based on the government’s proposal," Zelensky said.
He added that the country is going through difficult times.
"We are dealing with power outages, Russian strikes, and losses. It’s absolutely unacceptable that corruption schemes still exist in the energy sector. I will sign a decree imposing sanctions against two individuals involved in the NABU Energoatom case. Glory to Ukraine!" the President concluded.
Cabinet of Ministers Proposes Sanctions
A short time later, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that the Cabinet of Ministers held an emergency meeting and decided to submit a proposal to the NSDC to impose personal sanctions on Tymur Mindich and Oleksandr Zukerman.
"At an extraordinary meeting, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, in accordance with the Law on Sanctions, submitted to the NSDC proposals to apply personal sanctions against Tymur Mindich and Oleksandr Zukerman," she said.
Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk Resigns
Shortly afterward, Svitlana Hrynchuk posted on Facebook that she had resigned as Minister of Energy.
"I have submitted my resignation. The position was never an end in itself for me. I am grateful to President Zelensky, the Cabinet, and the members of parliament for the opportunity to serve the country — something I have done for 10 years in various government roles," she wrote.
Hrynchuk emphasized that she committed no violations of the law and dismissed rumors about her personal life as groundless speculation.
"There must be limits. Time will put everything in its place," she added.
Minister Halushchenko Also Resigns
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko has also resigned, according to Prime Minister Svyrydenko.
"I have submitted to the Verkhovna Rada the resignation letters of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk. Both ministers followed the procedure defined by law," she stated.
Tymur Mindich Leaves Ukraine
The alleged coordinator of the scheme, Tymur Mindich — Zelensky’s former business partner — reportedly left Ukraine legally. Border guards confirmed that his documents were in order and that there were no exit restrictions placed on him.
"Our review shows that this citizen crossed the border lawfully. Tymur Mindich departed Ukraine through one of the checkpoints in full compliance with current legislation. All documents required during martial law were valid. No exit restrictions were applied to him," the Border Service said.
Officials also noted that the Border Guard Service never received any instructions from law enforcement agencies regarding a travel ban, search order, or need to notify authorities about his border crossing.
