The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has suspended Herman Halushchenko from his duties as Minister of Justice. Halushchenko previously served as Minister of Energy. The suspension follows a major anti-corruption investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) into alleged systematic abuses in the energy and other governmental sectors.
According to the investigation, Halushchenko is suspected of facilitating activities of what NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office describe as an organized criminal group. The investigation is in its early stages, and new details are emerging daily. For now, the government's response has been to suspend Halushchenko until the probe concludes, similar to the earlier case involving former Deputy Prime Minister Chernyshov.
Commenting on the situation, journalist Vitaliy Portnykov emphasized that the core problem lies not in personnel changes but in the overall control and accountability of the government. He noted the lack of effective parliamentary oversight as a root cause of ongoing corruption, pointing out that high-ranking officials often align with a single political figure rather than with parliament or citizens.
Portnykov highlighted that the establishment of specialized anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine was only possible with support from Western partners, on whom Ukraine relies heavily during its ongoing war with Russia. Corruption in the energy sector, particularly during wartime, poses direct risks to national security and stability.
He concluded that, under current conditions, Ukraine must avoid experiments in appointing government officials and focus on creating responsible administrative structures. According to Portnykov, only through such measures can unity and the effective defense of Ukraine as an independent state be ensured.
