German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz has had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussing the latest corruption probes that have led to resignations within his administration.
Merz’s Spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, disclosed that Zelenskyy informed the German Chancellor about the corruption investigations against members of his government who have since resigned, pledging full transparency and long-term support for independent anti-corruption agencies and “further swift measures to regain the trust of the Ukrainian people, European partners, and international donors.”
After Zelenskyy’s Justice and Energy Ministers quit yesterday, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, amid the investigation into alleged energy sector graft, the government fired the Vice President of Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear power company believed by investigators to be at the center of the kickback scheme.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said late Wednesday that the heads of Energoatom’s finance, legal and procurement departments and a consultant to Energoatom’s President were also dismissed in the clear-out.
A Kyiv court has begun hearing evidence from anti-corruption watchdogs whose 15-month investigation, including 1,000 hours of wiretaps, has brought the detention of five people and implicated another seven in the scheme that allegedly earned about $100 million.
Tymur Mindich, a Co-owner of Zelenskyy’s Kvartal 95 media production company, is the conspiracy’s suspected mastermind. His whereabouts are unknown.
Zelenskyy’s office published a decree imposing “personal special economic” sanctions on Mindich and another businessman, Oleksandr Tsukermann.It ordered their assets to be frozen, state awards revoked and restrictions on their travel and business activities.
The investigation has prompted questions about what the country’s highest officials knew of the scheme. It has also awakened memories of Zelenskyy’s attempt last summer to curtail Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs.
He backtracked after widespread street protests in Ukraine and pressure from the European Union, which has pushed the country to address entrenched corruption.
During the call, Merz emphasised the German government’s expectation that Ukraine would vigorously pursue the fight against corruption and further reforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law.
The leaders also spoke about the need to “increase pressure on Moscow to compel Russia to enter into serious negotiations” on a peace settlement, notedly referencing “a more effective use of Russia’s immobilised state assets.”
Additionally, the pair spoke about continued aid for Ukraine, helping with air defence and energy infrastructure, and the growing number of young Ukrainian men seeking to leave the country for the European Union.
European Commission Lauds Ukraine’s Anti-corruption Probe
Meanwhile, the European Commission insisted that the Ukrainian corruption probe into former government Ministers has proven that the anti-corruption institutions in the country “work,” stressing that continuous efforts to fight corruption are a key requirement in the EU accession process.
Speaking at a press conference, EU Chief Spokesperson, Paula Pinho said, “I think it’s really important to underline that [these] investigations which are taking place in Ukraine show that the anti corruption [measures] work, and institutions are there to precisely fight against it.”
Pinho added that this is obviously an area to which the bloc pays particular attention “– also, in the context of the accession process.”
EU Enlargement Spokesperson, Guillaume Mercier earlier said that the investigation shows that anti-corruption bodies are in place and functioning in Ukraine. “The fight against corruption has been central to our enlargement package, which provides a general position on the matter,” Mercier noted.
Mercier emphasized that the fight against corruption is key for a country to join the EU, adding, “it requires continuous efforts to guarantee a strong capacity to combat corruption and the respect for the rule of law.”
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