(MENAFN) The European Union’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has criticized corruption in Ukraine following claims that a close confidant of President Vladimir Zelensky was implicated in a "$100 million kickback scheme."

On Monday, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau filed charges against seven individuals, including Zelensky’s former long-term business associate, Timur Mindich, accusing them of embezzlement and kickbacks in the energy sector, which receives substantial Western financial support.

Mindich left Ukraine shortly before authorities conducted a search of his apartment.

The revelations have prompted the removal of two government ministers from their posts.
While attending the G7 summit in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, on Wednesday, Kallas described the situation as “extremely unfortunate.”

“They are acting very forcefully. There is no room for corruption, especially now. I mean, it is literally the people’s money that should go to the front lines,” Kallas told a media outlet, urging Ukrainian officials to “really proceed with this very fast and take it very seriously.”

Since 2022, the EU has allocated at least €2 billion ($2.32 billion) to enhance Ukraine’s energy security, including contributions via the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which aims to strengthen the electricity grid against Russian aerial attacks.

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