November 14, 2025 | 08:40 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two members of Ukraine’s cabinet resigned on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, amid a major corruption scandal rocking the country’s energy sector.
Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko submitted their resignation letters following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for their departure.
According to France 24, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that the resignations were submitted in accordance with the law.
Zelensky had urged the ministers to step down over their alleged involvement in a corruption case at the state nuclear energy company, Energoatom.
“I believe that the minister of justice and the minister of energy cannot remain in office. This is, among other things, a matter of trust,” Zelensky said in a social media video.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that there are still some (corruption) schemes in the energy sector while Ukrainians are facing daily outages from Russian attacks.”
$100 Million Bribery Scheme
Al Jazeera reports that Ukraine’s Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) has accused businessman Timur Mindich, a close ally of Zelensky, of orchestrating a $100 million bribery scheme in the energy sector.
Mindich is a long-time associate of Zelensky and co-owner of Kvartal 95, the media company founded by Zelensky before he entered politics.
SAPO stated that Mindich leveraged his connection with the president to collect, distribute, and launder illicit funds. The investigation also implicated Galushchenko in assisting Mindich, while Energoatom contractors were reportedly forced to pay bribes of 10–15 percent to prevent contract cancellations or delays.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) confirmed the scheme, noting that five individuals were detained and seven others served notices of suspicion.
Denials and Political Fallout
Galushchenko denied any wrongdoing, describing his resignation as a politically responsible move during the ongoing investigation.
“A political decision must be made, and only then can all the details be sorted out,” he said.
“I believe that suspension for the duration of the investigation is a civilised and correct scenario. I will defend myself in court and prove my position.”
Grynchuk, who assumed office in July, added that Energoatom had fully cooperated with investigators.
The scandal represents a political setback for President Zelensky, who has made anti-corruption reforms a central part of his agenda amid the ongoing war with Russia.
It also highlights a significant challenge for Ukraine as it seeks European Union membership, where combating corruption remains a key requirement.
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