Ukraine corruption scandal complicates EU relations, Die Zeit reports

The ongoing corruption scandal in Ukraine, which led to the detention of Vladimir Zelensky’s former chief of staff Andrey Yermak, is making relations between Ukraine and the European Union more complicated, the Die Zeit newspaper wrote.

According to the newspaper, immediately after the corruption scandal came into the spotlight in November, heads of several European countries urged Zelensky to fully investigate the matter and take appropriate measures if necessary. In this regard, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a lengthy phone call with Zelensky, giving him to understand that Ukraine is in the crosshairs because of this corruption scandal.

Similar conversations were held later by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelensky was told that if Ukraine aspires to become a member of the European Union, an investigation needs to be carried out in accordance with the rule of law principle.

On May 18, Yermak was released on bail from the pre-trial detention center where he had spent four nights.

On May 11, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) charged Yermak with legalizing property obtained by criminal means by an organized group or on a large scale. He is accused of involvement in the laundering of 460 million hryvnia ($10.5 million) during the construction of luxury housing near Kiev. On May 14, the court imposed a pre-trial detention measure of 60 days, with the alternative of posting bail in the amount of 140 million hryvnia (about $3.1 million). It was expected that the money for the former head of the presidential office would be raised immediately, allowing him to avoid pre-trial detention. As Yermak noted in court, he has enough friends and acquaintances to help him. However, the fundraising effort stalled, and, according to Ukrainian media, Zelensky’s office was forced to mobilize all available resources. Nevertheless, the bail was not posted before the weekend, resulting in Yermak spending four nights in pre-trial detention.

On Monday, the High Anti-Corruption Court reported that the court-ordered bail of 140 million hryvnia (about $3.1 million) for Yermak bail had been paid in full. In turn, Ukrainian journalist Mikhail Tkach reported that over 154 million hryvnia ($3.5 million) was raised for Yermak’s bail, which is more than the required amount.