Shuster noted that a major corruption scandal has weakened the position of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky among Ukrainians and his allies in the West.
NABU accused several Ukrainian officials and one of Zelensky’s former business partners, co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio Timur Mindich, of extorting and laundering about $100 million in bribes.
As Shuster pointed out, NABU does not directly accuse Zelensky or Ermak in this case, but due to the corruption scandal, calls for the resignation of the head of the OP have intensified.
The journalist quoted a senior European diplomat who told him that “Zelensky must restore order in power” and “he must start with Yermak.”
Shuster said that Ermak in the interview for the first time answered questions in detail about the investigation and related calls for his resignation.
“The pressure is very high,” said the head of the OP. “The case is quite high-profile, and an objective and independent investigation without political influence is necessary.”
Ermak told Shuster that Zelensky, by appointing him head of the Ukrainian delegation at peace talks in Geneva with the United States, made it clear that he continued to trust him.
According to Ermak, the people of Ukraine “see that all these years, in the most difficult, tragic and dangerous moments,” they “were next to the president.”
“He entrusted me with these negotiations, which will determine the fate of our country. And if people support the president, this should answer all their questions,” said the head of the OP.
Context
On November 10, NABU announced Operation Midas to expose a “high-level criminal organization” that was engaged in extortion at Energoatom. According to the investigation, the state-owned company's contractors were offered to pay a kickback of 10% to 15% for goods and services, threatening to block payments from the budget or break off cooperation.
In general, four ministers from different parts of the Ukrainian government are involved in the Energoatom case, the head of the NABU detective department, Alexander Abakumov, told Ukrainskaya Pravda.
In particular, NABU reported suspicion of illegal enrichment to former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Alexey Chernyshov. During the HACC meeting, the prosecutor said that Chernyshov helped to legalize more than $1.277 million and more than €36 thousand. The court arrested him, but Chernyshov was given bail. The ex-deputy prime minister states that he has “no relation” to Energoatom.
Against the backdrop of a corruption scandal, on November 19, the Rada fired the head of the Ministry of Justice German Galushchenko (previously headed the Ministry of Energy) and the Minister of Energy Svetlana Grinchuk.
Mindic is also involved in the case. On November 11, he was informed of the suspicion, but Mindich left Ukraine legally because he has three minor children.
