Zelenskyy Vows to Reform Ukraine’s Energy Sector After Scandal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pledged to reform the country’s energy sector following allegations of a $100 million kickback scheme. This scandal, described as the worst of his presidency, has prompted a major overhaul of key state energy companies, particularly targeting Energoatom, the state nuclear power operator.

In a statement over the weekend, Zelenskyy announced a complete leadership change at Energoatom and instructed government officials to maintain “constant and meaningful communication” with law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. He emphasized that any wrongdoing uncovered in these companies would receive a “swift and just response.” This commitment to accountability follows a series of troubling revelations from Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which is investigating a criminal organization that allegedly forced Energoatom’s counterparties to pay kickbacks of 10-15% to secure their payment statuses.

Zelenskyy also revealed plans to introduce urgent legislation to amend the composition of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission, a key regulatory body in Ukraine. He aims to appoint new leaders across various energy agencies to strengthen oversight and transparency.

The scandal has escalated as reports have surfaced implicating Timur Mindich, a businessman and co-founder of Zelenskyy’s media production company, in the kickback scheme. Mindich reportedly fled to Poland just hours before investigators attempted to arrest him, and he is believed to be currently hiding in Israel.

Reforms and International Cooperation

Zelenskyy unveiled these reform plans shortly before arriving in Athens to sign an agreement facilitating Ukraine’s import of US-supplied liquefied natural gas through Greece. This deal, forged between Greece’s national gas company, DEPA Commercial, and Ukraine’s Naftogaz, aims to provide energy supplies from December 2025 to March 2026, amidst ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

During his visit, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for the energy support and acknowledged that the upcoming winter poses significant challenges due to Russian aggression. He met with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss strategies for bolstering Ukraine’s energy security.

Zelenskyy is also set to travel to France and Spain this week for discussions on military aid, further emphasizing the urgency of addressing both corruption and ongoing security threats. The pressure is mounting on him to demonstrate a serious commitment to tackling corruption, which remains a critical condition for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union.

Political Reactions and Challenges Ahead

The corruption scandal has drawn widespread condemnation across Ukraine, with Alexander Stubb, the Finnish President, urging swift action from Zelenskyy while also recognizing his leadership during wartime. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has leveraged the situation to impede Ukraine’s EU accession talks, suggesting that the scandal highlights a “wartime mafia network” with connections to Zelenskyy.

NABU officials acknowledge that Ukraine grapples with significant corruption issues, but they assert that the exposure of this scandal is a positive sign of transparency — a stark contrast to the lack of accountability seen in neighboring Russia. “The story isn’t about corruption. It’s about Ukraine’s struggle and fight against corruption,” stated Oleksandr Abakumov, head of NABU’s investigative team.

As the fallout from the scandal continues to unfold, many believe that it may reveal deeper systemic issues within the government. The situation has created an atmosphere of uncertainty, as lawmakers and the public alike await further developments in both the investigations and Zelenskyy’s promised reforms.