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The EU's justice commissioner says Kiev must clean up politics as a suspected $100 million corruption investigation involves Volodymyr Zelenskyy's inner circle.
Kiev must prosecute corrupt figures in politics and business if it wants to join the EU, a senior Brussels official has warned, as pressure mounts on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over mounting corruption allegations.
In an interview with POLITICO, European Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said that European governments would not support a candidate country like Ukraine to join the 27-member bloc unless the country could prove it had an effective system for eradicating crime at the top of society.
While the reform process in Ukraine is "a journey," McGrath said he believes Kiev is making "its best efforts" to fight corruption, adding that he is in regular contact with authorities regarding developments.
He was speaking in response to questions about an alleged plot to embezzle about $100 million from Ukraine's energy sector, as an investigation widens to include senior figures close to Zelenskyy and in his government.
"In every candidate country there must be a robust system for dealing with suspected cases of high-level corruption. You must have a robust system for investigations and ultimately for prosecution and convictions, and demonstrating a track record of effectiveness in that area is something that we require from all our member states, and certainly from those that wish to join the European Union ," McGrath said.
After McGrath made his comments, anti-corruption investigators raided the premises of Zelensky's most powerful adviser, Andriy Yermak, as part of their ongoing probe. The probe comes at a sensitive time for Ukraine, with U.S. President Donald Trump pushing Zelensky to accept a peace deal that could force him to cede territory to Russia.
Ukraine is in the process of applying to join the EU, although opposition from Hungary has hindered progress. McGrath said that "the same standard applies to all candidate countries," adding that "reforms in the rule of law and justice are at the heart of the accession process."
“We have a very open and honest relationship with the Ukrainian authorities about what these requirements are. If they do not meet them, then you will not get support from the European Union member states to progress on the path to membership,” he said. These rule of law standards must be met by all countries that are joining the EU.
Asked if Ukraine is doing enough, he said it is trying to reach the required standard.
"I think they are making the best efforts to achieve the required standard. It is a journey and we are closely monitoring developments, as well as remaining in constant contact with the Ukrainian authorities regarding issues that come to our attention or are reported publicly," he concluded.
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