Former Ukrainian Minister Accused of Bribery Scheme Against Zelenskyy
A former prime minister of Ukraine is facing serious allegations of attempting to bribe political leaders to undermine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government. This claim comes from a former political advisor.
The Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) revealed on January 13 that they discovered an alleged plan by the head of an unnamed parliamentary faction to provide unlawful incentives to lawmakers. In a recent operation, officials seized large amounts of cash, specifically stacks of U.S. dollars, during overnight searches. The identity of the suspect has not been made public.
Reports suggest that recordings show three lawmakers being offered $10,000 per month to vote against the president’s proposals. Some have connected this situation to Yulia Tymoshenko, a long-time politician and current leader of the Batkivshchyna party.
Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary for Zelenskyy, stated that the seized cash belonged to Tymoshenko, and was meant to influence votes adversely towards the president’s legislative efforts. She explained that in Ukraine, such deals typically involve U.S. dollars, a practice noted in law enforcement reports.
Mendel pointed out that the amounts displayed in the footage seem relatively small—around $40,000—compared to other corruption cases in Ukraine, which often involve millions. The overnight raid at Tymoshenko’s party office lasted almost the entire night.
Investigators claim that lawmakers, possibly including those from Zelenskyy’s own party, were in discussions with Tymoshenko regarding monthly payments for coordinated voting. Despite facing suspicion, Tymoshenko addressed parliament, labeling the investigation as a “political attack” on her.
Mendel emphasized that the intention was not to personally target Zelenskyy, but to break the ruling majority in parliament, which is critical in a parliamentary-presidential republic like Ukraine.
Tymoshenko, who played a significant role in Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution, has a history of legal issues, having previously been imprisoned in a case seen as politically charged.
Corruption continues to be a major concern for Ukraine, especially during ongoing conflicts. Mendel warned that corruption severely harms Ukraine’s international reputation, stating it could threaten the country’s future.
The situation remains under investigation, with no comments yet from Zelenskyy’s office.
