"International Support Will Become More Difficult After the Scandal"
The Polish government, which has been actively supporting Ukraine, recently warned that international aid could become more difficult in light of a corruption scandal involving a close associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pointed out that this corruption case has become a significant obstacle, making it harder to rally solidarity for Ukraine.
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland (right), and Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
According to major foreign media outlets such as PAP News Agency on November 14 (local time), Prime Minister Tusk commented on the recent corruption scandal, saying, "When such facts come to light, it will become increasingly difficult to persuade partners to stand in solidarity with Ukraine."
Prime Minister Tusk stated, "It seems that the Ukrainian government and the president are sincere about punishing those responsible, but the damage is already done. In any case, the consequences will be very serious," adding, "If such actions are tolerated, Ukraine will lose the war."
Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities have discovered evidence that executives at the state nuclear company Energoatom received and laundered bribes worth about 100 million dollars (approximately 146 billion won), with indications that Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelensky from his comedian days, was involved. Mindich fled to Israel just before a raid, and Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko (former Energy Minister) and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, who are suspected of protecting him, have been dismissed.
Mindich is a co-owner of Kvartal 95 Studio, a media production company founded by Zelensky in 2003. He was already under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) when, in July, President Zelensky signed a bill placing the NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the supervision of the Prosecutor General-a move he later withdrew after mass protests.
Ukraine has been demanding that Russian assets frozen in Europe be used to purchase weapons for the country. However, as Ukraine relies on foreign aid not only for war expenses but also for its general government budget due to financial collapse, the emergence of a major corruption scandal is expected to further hinder discussions on utilizing these frozen assets.
Prime Minister Tusk noted, "War fatigue is growing in many countries." Even Germany, the largest supporter of Ukraine in Europe, is prioritizing reducing welfare for refugees due to fiscal pressures.
On November 13, President Zelensky explained the corruption case during a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. However, Chancellor Merz demanded not only the eradication of corruption but also a reduction in the number of young Ukrainian refugees entering Germany.
After the call, Chancellor Merz reiterated at a public event that Germany would reduce benefits for Ukrainian refugees. The German federal government has so far provided 563 euros (952,000 won) per month to refugees. However, for those who entered after April this year, the government plans to reduce the amount to 441 euros, the same as for asylum seekers from other countries, and will pass the relevant bill next week.
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