The New York Times Wrote An Article About The Corruption Scandal In Ukraine

15.11.2025, 17:01
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This could be a turning point in Zelensky's career.

The corruption scandal surrounding the Energoatom company is shocking the inner circle of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, the American newspaper New York Times writes (translated by tvn24.pl). According to the newspaper, this is "an important turn in the career of a leader who has promised to clean up national politics."

"Is it possible to become president and not steal?" the New York Times article begins with this joke by Ukraine's future president Volodymyr Zelensky from the days when he ran for the state's highest office. "It's a rhetorical question, because no one has tried it yet," the then-actor, known primarily for his comedic roles, answered himself.

The American newspaper recalled that his anti-corruption promises contributed significantly to Zelensky's victory in the 2019 presidential election and "strengthened his political position ahead of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022."

According to the New York Times, a corruption investigation that has implicated individuals in the Ukrainian leader's inner circle is now threatening not only Zelensky's support at home but also abroad.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) says irregularities at the state-owned energy company Energoatom could cost Ukraine's budget up to several hundred million dollars, according to preliminary estimates.

According to Ukrainian investigators, a criminal organization headed by a close associate of Zelensky and former producer of films with his participation, Timur Mindich, withdrew and then laundered at least $100 million from Energoatom, the operator of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, as well as committed other frauds and financial crimes.

Publication of wiretaps increases pressure on Zelensky

New York Times recalled that the NABU, whose powers Zelensky tried to limit in July but was eventually forced to retain as a result of public protests and Western pressure, published the contents of wiretap recordings online.

They show that Justice Minister German Shumenko and energy chief Svetlana Hrynchuk, who resigned after the case began, were involved, as well as former Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Chernyshov, who lost his post during the government's summer overhaul. Mindich himself fled Ukraine via Poland to another country shortly before his house was searched.

The American newspaper emphasized that although the Ukrainian president was not directly involved in the case, and himself declared full support for the actions of "law enforcement and anti-corruption officers," he is now no longer seen by most of his compatriots as "a leader who was supposed to open Ukrainian politics to people outside the circle of oligarchs," but as "a figure operating in a small closed circle, unfettered by any rules."

The New York Times said the publication of the contents of the NABU eavesdropping adds to the pressure on Zelensky, as it did not disclose how far the investigation was going. The newspaper noted the Ukrainian leader's statement about breaking off contacts with officials involved in the case, but recalled that in July, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which reports directly to Zelensky, torpedoed NABU's actions when one of Mindych's relatives was arrested as part of the investigation. In particular, NABU officials were then accused of acting on instructions from Russia or being Russian agents.

The American newspaper also said that it had tried to contact Mindych to get a comment on the charges against him but was unsuccessful.

The newspaper also wrote about the reaction of politicians from Western countries, who once again called on the Ukrainian authorities to fight corruption more resolutely.

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