Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko Accused of Bribery Plot to Undermine Zelenskyy
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian authorities have launched a high-profile investigation involving former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who stands accused of orchestrating a bribery scheme aimed at weakening President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) conducted raids earlier this week, seizing large amounts of U.S. currency allegedly intended to bribe lawmakers to fracture the president’s parliamentary majority.
Video footage released by NABU showed stacks of U.S. dollars confiscated during the searches, alongside scenes of a woman sitting behind a desk in an office believed to be connected to the former prime minister. While authorities have not publicly named Tymoshenko as the suspect, a former political advisor has claimed her involvement in the plot to offer monthly payments to members of parliament.
The Kyiv Post reported that recordings obtained during the investigation suggest that three lawmakers were offered $10,000 per month in exchange for their support in destabilizing Zelenskyy’s coalition. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau first confirmed on January 13 that it uncovered an effort by the leader of an unnamed parliamentary faction to provide illegal benefits to legislators, a move that could severely disrupt Ukraine’s fragile political landscape.
This development comes amid ongoing challenges to Ukraine’s governance and anti-corruption efforts, which have been central to the country’s reform agenda since the 2014 Maidan Revolution. The involvement of a former prime minister in such a scandal threatens to undermine public trust and complicate Ukraine’s relations with international partners.
U.S. currency has long been a preferred medium in illicit transactions within the region, and the seizure of these dollars highlights the transnational dimensions of corruption in Ukrainian politics. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine continues to investigate the case, coordinating with other government agencies to ensure accountability.
President Zelenskyy, who rose to power on an anti-corruption platform, has faced persistent opposition from entrenched political factions. This bribery allegation, if proven, could represent one of the most significant attempts to destabilize his administration since he took office.
International observers, including the U.S. Department of State, have closely monitored Ukraine’s political developments and anti-corruption measures. The United States has provided substantial support to Ukraine’s reform efforts, emphasizing transparency and rule of law as critical to the country’s stability and security.
As the investigation unfolds, the Ukrainian parliament is expected to scrutinize the implicated lawmakers and assess the broader implications for governance. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has also expressed concern about political corruption risks that could hamper Ukraine’s democratic progress.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice continues its efforts to support anti-corruption initiatives abroad, underscoring the importance of rooting out illicit influence in democratic institutions.
Yulia Tymoshenko, a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics and a former prime minister, has yet to respond publicly to the allegations. The unfolding case will likely have significant ramifications for Ukraine’s political dynamics and its ongoing struggle against corruption.
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