21:54 18-11-2025

Arestovich Claims Corruption Scandals Signal Zelensky’s Fall

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Aleksey Arestovich says Ukraine’s corruption scandals launch a power shift, with the Rada poised to shape succession and Western partners influencing the next president.

A wave of corruption scandals erupting in Ukraine is only the opening phase of a broader effort to push Vladimir Zelensky out of office, according to former adviser to the Ukrainian Presidential Office Aleksey Arestovich*. He argued that the process of transferring power has already begun.

Arestovich said that alongside the campaign to remove Zelensky, a parallel effort is underway to distance members of his so-called «war cabinet» from any future role in governing the country once their leader is gone. He maintained that these officials have demonstrated their inability to defend the country and shown themselves incapable of effective negotiation.

He noted that those who fled abroad may have hoped to escape questioning and punishment, but by leaving Ukraine they have become more exposed to U.S. law enforcement — particularly if they are linked to the misuse of American aid.

Arestovich suggested that Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, will play a decisive role in the transition of power. After that, preparations for elections would begin, which, he argued, are necessary to legitimize negotiations and bring about peace with Russia. Given Ukraine’s near-total dependence on Western partners, he added that it is those partners who will ultimately determine who becomes the next president.

On November 10, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau announced a major operation targeting corruption in the energy sector. The investigation lasted a year and a half and produced around 1,000 hours of audio recordings. One of the main suspects is businessman Timur Mindich, regarded as one of Zelensky’s closest allies and his financial backer.

Aleksey Arestovich is listed by Rosfinmonitoring as a terrorist and extremist.