Former Ukrainian PM Accused of Bribing Politicians to Weaken Zelenskyy’s Government
In a shocking development that has sent ripples through Ukraine’s political landscape, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stands accused of orchestrating a bribery scheme aimed at undermining President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government. According to Iuliia Mendel, who previously served as Zelenskyy’s press secretary, Tymoshenko allegedly attempted to pay lawmakers monthly bribes of $10,000 to vote against the president’s legislative proposals. The scandal came to light when Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (UNACB) conducted an overnight raid on Tymoshenko’s party office, seizing stacks of U.S. dollars as evidence. “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,” Mendel told Fox News Digital. “She said it was her personal savings.” While the amount discovered—approximately $40,000—might seem modest compared to other corruption cases in Ukraine that sometimes involve millions, the political implications are far-reaching.
The alleged scheme wasn’t designed as a direct personal attack on Zelenskyy but rather as a strategic move to fracture the president’s 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.” This political maneuvering reveals the complex power dynamics within Ukrainian politics, where control of parliament can be just as crucial as executive authority. The UNACB released video footage showing the seized cash and a woman sitting behind a desk during the raid, which reportedly “lasted nearly all night” according to Mendel. Investigators claim several lawmakers, including members from Zelenskyy’s own faction, approached Tymoshenko to discuss regular monthly payments in exchange for coordinated voting against the president’s initiatives.
Tymoshenko, a veteran politician who rose to prominence during Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution and became the country’s first female prime minister, has vehemently denied these allegations. Taking to Facebook after the raid, she characterized the investigation as “political persecution” against her, claiming the “urgent investigative actions” conducted at her Batkivshchyna party office had “nothing to do with law and order.” She even addressed parliament following the incident, maintaining her innocence despite reportedly being served with a notice of suspicion by authorities. This isn’t Tymoshenko’s first brush with legal troubles—in 2011, she was imprisoned over a controversial gas deal with Russia, though that case was widely regarded as politically motivated. She was released in 2014 and has remained an influential figure in Ukrainian politics, now expected to appear before Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court regarding these new allegations.
The timing of this corruption scandal is particularly sensitive given Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia and its dependence on international support. Mendel offered a stark assessment of the situation: “Corruption is one of the key reasons we are losing this war. It severely damages Ukraine’s image on the international stage.” This comment highlights the existential threat that corruption poses to Ukraine’s national security and international standing. The country has been making efforts to address widespread corruption as part of its aspirations for European integration and to maintain crucial Western support for its defense against Russian aggression. Corruption allegations at such high levels of government could potentially undermine international confidence in Ukraine’s reform progress at a critical moment.
The scandal also reflects a broader and more painful transition in Ukraine’s approach to fighting corruption. “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,” Mendel noted. This shift toward greater transparency and accountability represents a significant evolution in Ukraine’s governance culture, moving away from the Soviet-era tendency to handle such matters behind closed doors. The public nature of these investigations demonstrates a commitment to combating corruption openly, even when it involves prominent political figures, but it also carries risks by potentially airing the country’s internal problems during wartime when unity is paramount.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Ukraine faces not just on the battlefield but within its own political system. The allegations against Tymoshenko exemplify the entrenched nature of corruption that has plagued Ukrainian politics for decades and continues to threaten the country’s democratic development and national security. Mendel’s warning that “corruption will destroy Ukraine” underscores the existential stakes of this fight. While President Zelenskyy came to power on an anti-corruption platform, these revelations suggest that cleaning up Ukrainian politics remains an ongoing struggle requiring constant vigilance, institutional strength, and political will. As Tymoshenko’s case proceeds through Ukraine’s judicial system, it will test the country’s commitment to accountability regardless of political status or historical significance, potentially setting important precedents for Ukraine’s future governance.
