NYT: Zelenskyy struggled to replace energy minister amid corruption shadows

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has struggled to fill the vacant post of energy minister amid lingering fallout from a major corruption scandal, analysts told The New York Times.

The difficulty in finding a replacement followed a sweeping investigation revealed in November by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, which uncovered a kickback scheme worth about $100 million involving the state-owned nuclear power company. The scandal reached into Zelenskyy’s inner circle, prompting calls from lawmakers to “clean house” and forcing several senior officials, including the energy minister, to resign. None have been formally charged.

Although the government initially signaled that replacements would be named quickly, the energy ministry vacancy has persisted despite its urgency. Russia’s near-daily attacks on Ukraine’s power grid have made the role critical as winter conditions threaten widespread power outages and heating shortages.

According to Volodymyr Fesenko, a Ukrainian political analyst, the job has proven nearly impossible to fill.

“All potential candidates for this position — I emphasise, all of them — refused,” he said.

Fesenko cited two main reasons: the immense responsibility of managing an energy system under constant military attack, and the reputational risks associated with a ministry long troubled by corruption allegations.

On January 2, Zelenskyy appointed a new chief of staff and said he would replace the defence minister. The following day, he proposed transferring the outgoing defence minister to lead the energy ministry, after months of stalled appointments.

Zelenskyy has indicated that further changes in both the government and the military are forthcoming as Ukraine seeks to stabilise leadership while continuing to fight Russia’s invasion.

By Sabina Mammadli