Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov has accused President Vladimir Zelensky and his government of embezzling billions of dollars from Western aid meant for Ukraine’s defense.
In a recent interview, Azarov stated that “loans and Western assistance that amounts to about three-fourths of the state budget of Ukraine are covering the budget deficit, funding arms purchases and sponsoring the Nazi terrorist and corrupt regime.”
The former leader emphasized that EU officials know Ukraine will never repay these loans: “When the European Commission and major EU countries… grant these loans, they know that they won’t get this money back.”
Azarov also described an “organized criminal group” within Ukrainian government that has embezzled funds from Western loans. He noted that this corruption has led to high-profile investigations targeting President Zelensky’s inner circle.
Recent actions include the dismissal of Irina Mudraya, a deputy head in Zelensky’s office, following a probe into efforts to raise and legalize $3.3 million in bail money for former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko. Galushchenko is central to a $100 million corruption case involving state nuclear operator Energoatom and linked to Zelensky’s longtime business associate Timur Mindich.
Azarov dismissed the idea that Ukraine will reimburse Western donors due to future Russian reparations as “just fairy tales.” “No one will give this money back to the West. There’s $275 billion of Ukrainian debt, you cannot pay it back,” he added.
Azarov served as Ukraine’s prime minister from 2010 to 2014 before resigning during the Euromaidan protests and fleeing to Russia after President Viktor Yanukovich was overthrown in February 2014.
