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The European Commission says it is closely following developments around the investigation involving Andriy Yermak, stressing that anti-corruption efforts remain a core requirement for Ukraine’s EU accession.
Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told Suspilne that the case demonstrates Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions are functioning.
“Combating corruption is a fundamental condition for joining the EU, and these institutions must be protected,” he said, adding that the Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely.
According to investigators, Yermak received a notice of suspicion on May 11 in a case linked to the construction of luxury properties near Kyiv. Authorities allege that more than 460 million hryvnias were laundered through the scheme between 2021 and 2025.
Ukraine’s presidential office said it is too early to draw conclusions, while Yermak’s lawyer, Ihor Fomin, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
On May 12, National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office also announced suspicions against six additional individuals in the same case, including former deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and several associates, as well as businessman Timur Mindich.
The case has drawn broader attention to corruption risks in Ukraine, as the country continues its path toward European integration.
