Georgiy Tykhyy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, commented on the statements made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding corruption in Ukraine. He emphasized that such accusations from a politician who himself is involved in corruption scandals seem inappropriate.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“Lectures on corruption from a politician entangled in corruption scandals who has made his country the poorest in the EU? No, thank you”
Orbán’s Statements and Budapest’s Position
Viktor Orbán stated on social media platform X that the corruption scandal in Ukraine’s energy sector is a manifestation of “chaos,” and that the funds allocated by the European Union supposedly only contribute to the enrichment of the military mafia. Orbán stressed that Hungary does not wish to finance such processes and refuses to send money to Ukraine. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also called on the EU to stop financial support for Ukraine, citing recent revelations by Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies regarding manipulations surrounding “Energoatom.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the corruption scandal in Ukraine’s energy sector as “extremely regrettable” and emphasized the importance of Kyiv taking the investigation of such cases seriously. He noted that European taxpayers’ money must be used transparently, especially in wartime.
Revelations of Corruption in Ukrainian Energy
On November 10, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine reported the exposure of a criminal organization that systematically received illegal benefits from “Energoatom” contractors amounting to 10-15% of the contract value. According to the investigation, the illegal funds were laundered through a back office in central Kyiv, with a turnover of about 100 million dollars. The office premises, according to investigators, belonged to the family of Andriy Derkach – a former member of parliament and now a senator in Russia, who is accused in another criminal case by NABU and SAP.
Among those involved in the case are, in particular, former business partner of Volodymyr Zelenskyy from “Kvartal 95” Timur Mindich, who, according to law enforcement, has left Ukraine, former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko, whose resignation from the position of Minister of Justice was initiated by the government, as well as former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. Charges have been announced against seven individuals, five of whom have been detained, and some have already been placed under preventive measures in the form of arrest with the possibility of bail.
NABU detective Oleksandr Abakumov reported that during the investigation, four ministers from different periods of the Cabinet were recorded. This means that not all of them are current members of the government.
Additionally, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the submission to the Verkhovna Rada regarding the dismissal of Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk.
Viktor Orbán and his party “Fidesz” are often criticized both within Hungary and abroad for their departure from democratic standards, pressure on the judiciary, as well as aggressive rhetoric towards migrants and members of the LGBT community. Orbán does not hide his intentions to change the country’s political system to a “non-liberal” one, while the government has taken control of most Hungarian media.
It is worth noting that Budapest has repeatedly blocked European initiatives to support Ukraine, which is resisting Russian aggression. Orbán continues to demonstrate loyalty to Moscow, despite the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine.