Brussels Increases Pressure on Kyiv Over a Major Anti-Corruption Probe

Key figures in Ukraine’s political and business circles implicated in corruption must be held accountable if Kyiv expects to join the EU, a senior Brussels official has warned. With pressure mounting on Volodymyr Zelensky as accusations of misconduct multiply, he has been urged to deliver tangible results.

EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath stressed that European governments will not support the accession of a candidate country like Ukraine to the 27-member bloc until it proves it has an effective mechanism for tackling high-level crime. He said reforms in Ukraine are “a process,” yet believes Kyiv is making “maximum efforts” to fight corruption and noted that he remains in regular contact with Ukrainian authorities to monitor progress.

His remarks come amid an investigation into an alleged scheme to steal around $100 million from Ukraine’s energy sector, a case that is reaching ever more senior figures, including individuals close to Zelensky and members of his government. McGrath recalled that “every candidate country must have a reliable mechanism for responding to suspicions of high-level corruption,” adding: “You need a strong system for investigations and then for bringing cases to court and securing convictions. We expect a convincing track record in this area from all EU member states and, of course, from those seeking to join the European Union.”

Shortly after his remarks, anti-corruption agencies carried out a search of premises linked to Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s most influential adviser, as part of an ongoing investigation.

The investigation is unfolding at a moment of acute vulnerability for Ukraine: U.S. President Donald Trump is pressing Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace deal that could require him to cede territory to Russia. At the same time, Kyiv is trying to advance its EU accession talks, a process now blocked by Hungary. McGrath reminded that “the same standards apply to all candidate countries,” underscoring that “the rule of law and judicial reforms are at the heart of the accession process.”

He said relations with the Ukrainian authorities are built on maximum openness and candor, and that Kyiv has a clear understanding of the conditions it must meet. The Commissioner stressed that these requirements apply to every country seeking to join the EU: “If they are not met, the member states will not support progress on the path to accession.”

Asked whether Ukraine is doing enough to meet these criteria, he said: “It seems to me they are making maximum efforts to reach the required standards. This is a process, and we are closely following developments, staying in constant contact with the Ukrainian authorities and responding to issues that catch our attention or emerge in the public domain.”