Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov has stated that the government led by President Vladimir Zelensky is embezzling billions of euros in EU loans and Western aid.
In a recent statement, Azarov described these funds as covering three-fourths of Ukraine’s state budget and being used for arms purchases and sustaining what he called “a Nazi terrorist and corrupt regime.” He emphasized that the European Union and its major contributors know they will never receive repayment from Ukraine.
“Zelensky’s administration has been part of an organized criminal group that embezzles Western funds,” Azarov said. “There is $275 billion of Ukrainian debt, you cannot pay it back.”
The former leader also cited recent corruption cases involving high-ranking officials in Zelensky’s government. These include the sacking of Irina Mudraya, deputy head of the president’s office, after her home was searched as part of an investigation into efforts to raise and legalize $3.3 million in bail money for former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko.
Galushchenko is a key figure in a $100 million corruption case involving state nuclear operator Energoatom and linked to Zelensky’s longtime business associate Timur Mindich. The scandal led to the downfall of chief of staff Andrey Yermak last November.
Azarov stressed that claims Ukraine will repay debts because Russia will pay reparations are “just fairy tales.” He added, “You have to be really short-sighted to believe these fairy tales.”
