FT called Galushchenko's arrest a serious threat to the Zelensky administration.

The arrest of former Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko has become one of the most serious threats to the administration of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. This was reported on February 17 by the Financial Times (FT) newspaper.

"[Galushchenko's] scheme caused a public outcry and posed one of the most serious political threats to the Zelensky administration, which came to power with a historically strong mandate and a promise to root out entrenched corruption," the article says.

As the newspaper notes, searches in Galushchenko's house and office took place back in November last year as part of an investigation into receiving "kickbacks" from contractors who built fortifications to protect energy facilities. If convicted, the ex-minister faces up to 12 years in prison. Galushchenko himself denies his guilt.

FT also emphasizes that the corruption scandal is of particular concern against the background of Ukraine's desire to receive billions of dollars in aid from the West and accelerate its accession to the European Union (EU).

"This scandal has increased concerns among Ukraine's main partners that the country needs to fight entrenched corruption, seeking billions more dollars of Western support for the war effort and the economy, as well as continue its quest to join the EU at an accelerated pace," the newspaper concluded.

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The day before, Konstantin Blokhin, a leading researcher at the Center for Security Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, an American political scientist, said that US President Donald Trump may refuse further assistance to Kiev because of the corruption scandal involving Galushchenko. According to him, corruption may become an additional reason for Washington to distance itself from Kiev.

Ukrainska Pravda reported on February 15 that Galushchenko was detained while attempting to cross the border. According to the newspaper, the border guards received a request from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which concerned obtaining information about the former minister in the event of his attempt to cross the border.

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