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Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have uncovered an alleged bribery scheme reportedly linked to former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who stands accused of offering monthly payments to lawmakers in an effort to undermine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legislative agenda.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (UNACB) confirmed on January 13 that it had discovered an alleged effort by the leader of a parliamentary faction to provide illegal benefits to lawmakers. During overnight searches earlier this week, authorities seized stacks of U.S. dollars and released video footage showing the cash and a woman sitting behind a desk in an office.
According to former Zelenskyy press secretary Iuliia Mendel, who spoke to Fox News Digital, the cash allegedly belonged to Tymoshenko and was intended to pay lawmakers to vote against the president’s legislative initiatives.
“In Ukraine, such transactions are usually discussed in U.S. dollars, as you can see from the law enforcement reports,” Mendel explained. “The U.S. dollars shown in that video were allegedly hers that she was supposed to use to pay people to vote against Zelenskyy’s legislative proposals. She said it was her personal savings.”
The Kyiv Post reported that recordings allegedly show three lawmakers were offered $10,000 per month in exchange for their votes. Mendel described the confiscated sum as “relatively modest, about $40,000,” noting that other corruption cases in Ukraine have involved “much larger sums, sometimes millions of dollars.”
Investigators allege that several lawmakers—reportedly including members from Zelenskyy’s own faction—approached Tymoshenko, leading to discussions about regular monthly payments in exchange for coordinated voting against presidential initiatives.
The raid on Tymoshenko’s party office, which houses her Batkivshchyna party, was extensive. “Officers arrived in the evening and remained in her office for almost the entire night,” Mendel said.
Despite reportedly being served with a notice of suspicion, Tymoshenko has denied the allegations and addressed parliament this week, calling the case “political persecution.” In a Facebook post, she stated: “The so-called ‘urgent investigative actions’ that lasted all night ended at the Batkivshchyna party office. These ‘urgent investigative actions’ have nothing to do with law and order.”
According to Mendel, the alleged scheme wasn’t aimed at attacking Zelenskyy personally but rather at fracturing his parliamentary majority. “Ukraine’s system is a parliamentary-presidential republic, meaning the legislature plays a central role in governance. When the president controls a mono-majority, legislation can pass quickly,” Mendel explained. “Breaking that majority would significantly weaken Zelenskyy’s legislative authority.”
Tymoshenko is no stranger to legal troubles. A central figure in Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution and the country’s first female prime minister, she was jailed in 2011 over a controversial gas deal with Russia in a case widely considered politically motivated. She was later released in 2014 following a change in government.
The current allegations come at a critical time for Ukraine as it continues to face Russian aggression while simultaneously battling internal corruption. The case highlights ongoing challenges within Ukraine’s political system, where corruption remains a persistent issue despite reform efforts initiated under Zelenskyy’s administration.
“Corruption is one of the key reasons we are losing this war. It severely damages Ukraine’s image on the international stage,” Mendel warned. “By 2024, corruption had reached such a scale that Ukrainians chose an extremely dangerous and painful path — exposing it publicly in order to fight it. Now, cases like this bring the issue back into the spotlight. Corruption will destroy Ukraine.”
The timing is particularly sensitive as Ukraine continues to rely on international support in its war effort against Russia. Western allies have consistently emphasized the importance of anti-corruption measures as a condition for ongoing military and financial assistance.
Tymoshenko is expected to appear before Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court as the investigation proceeds. Zelenskyy’s office has not yet commented on the allegations.
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16 Comments
These allegations, if true, represent a serious threat to Ukraine’s democratic progress. The authorities must investigate thoroughly and ensure any wrongdoers, regardless of their political connections, are held accountable.
I agree completely. The integrity of Ukraine’s institutions and the rule of law must be upheld, even when powerful political figures are implicated.
Tymoshenko has a history of political intrigue, so these accusations don’t come as a huge surprise. However, the use of US dollars to bribe lawmakers is concerning and speaks to the depth of the alleged corruption.
I share your skepticism. Ukraine has made progress, but deep-rooted corruption remains a challenge. Rigorous investigations are crucial to restoring public trust.
This is a concerning development if true. The use of bribery to undermine the democratically elected government is a serious threat to Ukraine’s stability and progress. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of these allegations swiftly and impartially.
Agreed, the rule of law must be upheld. Zelenskyy has worked hard to address corruption, so it’s troubling to see these allegations against a former PM.
The use of US dollars in alleged bribery schemes speaks to the global nature of corruption. Ukraine must remain vigilant and continue strengthening its institutions to root out such practices.
Absolutely. Combating corruption requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. International cooperation will be key to closing loopholes exploited by bad actors.
This is a complex and concerning situation. Tymoshenko has long been a controversial figure in Ukrainian politics. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of these allegations and hold any wrongdoers accountable.
Agreed, the political dynamics here add an extra layer of complexity. Maintaining impartiality and the rule of law will be critical as the investigation proceeds.
The use of US dollars in alleged bribery schemes raises questions about the role of the global financial system in enabling corruption. Ukraine must work with international partners to close such vulnerabilities.
That’s an important point. Combating corruption requires a coordinated, multilateral approach. Strengthening financial transparency and accountability will be crucial.
If proven true, this would be a major setback for Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. Undermining the democratically elected government through bribery is unacceptable. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of this quickly.
Agreed, the details here are quite alarming. Zelenskyy has made fighting corruption a key priority, so this represents a significant threat to his agenda.
While the allegations are serious, we should withhold judgment until the full facts are established. Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions must be allowed to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
That’s a fair point. Due process is crucial, especially for high-profile cases like this. A transparent investigation will be important to maintain public trust.