• Former Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko detained while trying to leave the country.
• Galushchenko is implicated in an alleged $100 million corruption scheme.
• His arrest is part of a broader anti-corruption effort linked to Ukraine's EU membership aspirations.

Ukrainian authorities have detained former energy minister German Galushchenko as he attempted to cross the border, amidst ongoing investigations into significant corruption practices. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced the arrest on February 15, indicating it was part of the so-called "Midas" case, a major corruption scandal that has unfolded within the country's energy sector. Galushchenko, who resigned in November amid these allegations, was reportedly apprehended while on a train attempting to leave Ukraine, though the destination remains unclear, according to Le Monde and BBC.

The scandal, which implicated multiple government officials, reportedly involved a scheme orchestrated by businessmen that resulted in a $100 million embezzlement within Ukraine's energy sector, specifically through bribes tied to state contracts. Investigators have alleged that between 10% and 15% of contract values were routinely paid as kickbacks to avoid adverse operational consequences. Galushchenko, along with other ministers and officials, is accused of facilitating these illicit activities. The NABU has stated initial investigations are ongoing and further details are forthcoming, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

Galushchenko's arrest adds pressure on the administration of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has faced increased scrutiny over his government's ability to combat corruption since taking office. The ongoing political turmoil has raised calls for electoral reforms, further complicated by the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. This urgency to act against corruption aligns with Ukraine's goals for EU membership, emphasizing that the eradication of systemic graft is vital for its accession process, as noted by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.