© Collage, ZN.UA To achieve this, the president needs to implement a set of actions that he has not yet undertaken.
The NABU’s records about malfeasance in the energy sphere involve the president’s associate Timur Mindich, the current heads of the justice and energy ministries, Herman Galushchenko and Svitlana Grinchuk, along with other state employees. Nevertheless, the steps taken by the government in this matter, which were not implemented promptly, are insufficient. What the president and the administration must do now, Inna Vedernikova elucidated in the piece “ Operation Midas”. The route of absolute authority is as lengthy as a dollar .”
” The authorities procrastinated for a significant period but ultimately took some measures . The Cabinet of Ministers dismissed Energoatom’s supervisory council, affording Timofey Mylovanov the chance to recognize his mistakes shortly before the decision and withdraw from its membership in a grand manner . Jacob Hartmut, the NAEK’s vice president and a council member, was relieved of his duties , as was Dmytro Basov (“Tenor”), the chief advisor to the company’s president, who is implicated in the inquiry. The Minister of Justice, German Galushchenko, and his partner, the Minister of Energy, Svitlana Grinchuk, will be dismissed. However, it’s important to note that this is happening not at the initiative of the parliament or the Cabinet of Ministers, but rather at the behest of the president, who ostensibly has no connection to this,” the author pens.
In addition, sanctions were imposed on Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zukerman at Zelensky’s urging. Nevertheless, these restrictions were put in place for a three-year period. The only consequence for both of them was an indefinite revocation of state honors.
“There are still further issues. Firstly, where did the Cabinet of Ministers obtain the passports of Israeli citizens to present them for sanctions? Secondly, what assets will be confiscated – those registered with Israeli passports and located in Israel? ( The explanations from the presidential envoy for sanctions policy did not provide a clear understanding.) Thirdly, how were the NSDC meetings conducted while Secretary Umerov was out of the country for three days, and given that he is overseas, he cannot handle classified materials?”, – Vedernikova observes.
According to her, President Zelensky determined, after a certain delay, to cease contact with Mindich and declared that he hadn’t spoken to his close friend since the start of the investigation . The formal probe was launched on November 10, and Operation Midas itself, as reported by NABU, extended over a period of 15 months. The starting point Zelenskyy is using for his calculations is unclear.
“However, sources trusted by ZN.UA have revealed that the president engaged in three phone conversations with Mindich between June, when Mindich departed the country (after being dispatched by the president to bring Chernyshov back to Ukraine), and his return in October . These calls served to dampen his friend’s eagerness to return to Ukraine,” the author states.
Vedernikova highlights that the actions taken by the authorities are insufficient . For instance, the removal of German Galushchenko, Svitlana Grinchuk, and the head of Finmonitoring, Philip Pronin, from the National Security and Defense Council wouldn’t have required much time. Nevertheless, the president only made the related decision on the fifth day of the scandal, and even then, it only concerned Grinchuk and Galushchenko.
The subsequent action that Zelensky must implement to demonstrate his willingness to reform the system and to no longer “protect” Mindich and associates involves authorizing NABU and SAPO to investigate “Mindichgate.” This entails:
- an unbiased audio analysis devoid of sway from individuals who have been “safeguarding the voices” for many years;
- the prompt unblocking of Finmonitoring, which has not addressed inquiries concerning Fire Point for nine months, among others;
- assurances against meddling by security forces and special services in the Mindich matter;
- publicly safeguarding the detectives and prosecutors conducting probes.
The author stresses that the president could accomplish all of this in a single day, should he genuinely desire to do so.
“The number of individuals in positions of power currently sitting on a powder keg, fearing NABU’s impending arrival, remains unpredictable. This extends to the President’s Office as well. Prior to the involvement of Mindich, Galushchenko, and Shurma , the entirety of the energy streams flowed into the hands of Oleg Tatarov, the undeservedly “forgotten” by media space overseer of the law enforcement structure. The Tsukerman brothers are well-known and have a long history with veterans of shady business dealings. There’s hardly a politician, security officer, or businessperson whose funds they haven’t “laundered.” Individuals offering discreet services wield substantial connections,” Vedernikova notes.
According to ZN.UA sources, it was Oleksandr and Mykhailo Tsukerman who facilitated the reinforcement of Andriy Yermak’s anti-Bogdanov stance through Mindich . Subsequently, through Mindich again, they assisted Oleg Tatarov in acquiring the mandate . And NABU, according to our sources, is aware of all of this . It also surmises that the unveiling of Mindich “assisted” Yermak in eliminating a rival. The head of the office was left without competition in the President’s inner circle.
“What can a person who failed to stop him in time, but instead pushed him toward the precipice, say to the president in this situation? The entire system requires thorough cleansing . Not only of thieves, but also of fools and accomplices of “swindlers”. The president is fully aware of how it operates, as he himself established it. Zelensky has set up standards for how to “please the president”, which bear no relation to competence, expertise, or position. They pertain to something else: “I am entirely at your service, I will do anything you command”, – writes the author.
The prolongation of authority without elections , Vedernikova adds, precipitated its decline . This holds true across all echelons and is manifest in the resolutions of the Verkhovna Rada and the conduct of local governance. And the destination toward which President Zelensky ultimately steered us with his ineptitude, unwillingness to heed and embrace criticism that could have aided in steering the course of a nation fighting for its survival, is something the author emphasizes.
The sole prospect for Zelensky to rectify matters lies in turning to experts who should occupy positions within the government and devolving to them the fraction of power allotted in the Constitution. Furthermore, it is essential to reinstate the autonomy of the parliament and to initiate a revitalization of the law enforcement apparatus through equitable competitions.
” And, most importantly, to embark on an honest dialogue with the people . Starting anew. In order to endure. To send a message to the front lines: “We shall make another attempt. For your benefit and for the nation’s sake.” In this manner, Zelensky will be able to recover the public’s confidence. And to assure the West that it is viable to continue engaging with Ukraine, guiding the nation toward peace and elections. In which there should be no candidate named Zelensky. However, perhaps, history shall immortalize an individual who was capable of transcending the limits he imposed upon himself. For the world is more expansive than Mindich’s “laundry service.” Ukraine is larger than the estate in Kozyn. And it merits victory. Both over the adversary and over itself,” Vedernikova concluded.
NABU and SAPO have uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme involving high-ranking officials influencing strategic state-owned enterprises, notably Energoatom. Its organizers were receiving 10-15% of the value of the company’s agreements in the form of graft, with “kickbacks” being paid by counterparties enforced upon them by participants in the scheme. The total amount that the defendants managed to “launder” came to $100 million, legitimizing it via a separate bureau in central Kyiv, which belonged to the family of Andriy Derkach, a former member of parliament.
Anti-corruption authorities reported the arrest of five suspects in the case and the proclamation of charges against seven members of the criminal enterprise – Timur Mindich, former advisor to the Minister of Energy Ihor Myronyuk, Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security of Energoatom Dmytro Basov, and four individuals described as “employees” of the money laundering back office .
According to the investigation of the SAPO and NABU, former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and former Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov were also under the sway of Timur Mindich . The latter has already been charged with suspicion of corruption by NABU . Sanctions have been levied against Mindich, and now, according to press accounts, the option of stripping him of his citizenship is being weighed .
