Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on the 12th that corruption in the energy sector is "absolutely unacceptable."
He said: "The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy can no longer remain in their positions."
He made these remarks in a video speech regarding a corruption case involving nearly 100 million US dollars (about 413 million ringgit).
After Zelensky issued the statement, Ukraine's Justice Minister Malyshev and Energy Minister Grynchuk each submitted their resignations. Malyshev stepped down as Energy Minister this summer, with Grynchuk as his successor.
Malyshev and Grynchuk have not yet been charged by anti-corruption authorities, but Malyshev is suspected by investigators of receiving "personal benefits" in connection with the corruption case. One of his former advisers is a suspect.
On the 10th of this month, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced that their investigation showed that current and former officials from the Ministry of Energy, together with businessmen, formed a "large criminal group" suspected of money laundering and illegal enrichment. Nearly 100 million US dollars in laundered funds have been identified so far.
The exposure of this corruption scandal comes at a time when Ukraine's energy infrastructure has suffered multiple rounds of Russian airstrikes, with electricity and heating supplies remaining tight, sparking public outrage in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal later posted on social media, stating that he had submitted motions to the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) to remove Malyshev and Grynchuk from their posts. The two had, according to legal procedure, each submitted their resignations that afternoon.
According to Ukrainian law, the Verkhovna Rada is responsible for the formal approval of cabinet ministers' appointments or resignations.