The EU may freeze aid to Ukraine over the corruption scandal involving Mindich — Politico

The corruption scandal surrounding businessman Tymur Mindich, who is close to Volodymyr Zelensky, will make it harder for Ukraine to obtain EU financing.

This is reported by Politico.

The article notes that Ukraine already risks running out of money in February if Belgium does not lift its block on the reparations loan. There is currently no sign Brussels will change its position. Slovakia is also opposed to the loan. Without it, the EU will struggle to find the funds Ukraine needs. It is unlikely Europeans will take on a new loan. And the U.S. has already halted aid to Ukraine following U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

This could lead to a “coalition of the willing” trying to cobble together funds amid political turmoil in Kyiv and growing noise over corruption allegations.

“All this is happening at a very inopportune moment, when Brussels must decide on allocating additional financing to Kyiv. It creates huge problems for the Ukrainians in convincing Western allies to continue funding. And it gives MAGA supporters and Central European actors—for example, the Hungarians—reason to ask: ‘Why are we doing this?’” said a foreign adviser to the Ukrainian government.

A former Ukrainian official expects Western financing and arms supplies to continue, since Ukraine is “too big to fail.” But Brussels will express its displeasure very firmly behind the scenes and will tie financing for some future projects more closely to reforms.

The outlet’s sources also claim that NABU will soon carry out raids aimed at combating corruption in the Ministry of Defense. According to them, the target of the investigation is inflated prices in defense procurement.

As a reminder, Germany’s foreign minister has already voiced support for NABU’s actions against Zelensky’s inner circle.