At the same time, Zelensky is also struggling at home. A corruption scandal rocked the country. Ukrainian authorities have published recordings of conversations about corrupt transactions involving the state-owned nuclear company Energoatom. The amount of damage known so far is equivalent to more than 85 million euros. Two members of the government, Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, submitted their resignations. Zelensky’s confidant, Tymur Minditsch, and other suspects fled the country.
Finally, Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure had a significant impact. There were power outages in several areas, power plants had to be repaired, and factories came to a standstill. “As winter approaches, Ukraine’s needs continue to increase. In some regions, planned power outages are already lasting up to 12 hours a day. Morale is low as Ukrainians have to get used to dark houses and streets. Every major Russian attack brings the country closer to another humanitarian disaster,” wrote the Kiev Independent.
After a meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska in August, there was initially hope that a peace process would begin. However, the meeting did not produce concrete results. Since then, relations between Trump and Putin have cooled significantly. Moscow continues to insist that it must continue to maintain control over the occupied territories – which Ukraine rejects.
Recently, Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed doubts about the possibility of a ceasefire. A ceasefire in Ukraine is unlikely before spring and European allies must maintain their support despite the corruption scandal rocking Kiev, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Europe will need “Sisu”, a Finnish word meaning resilience, toughness and perseverance, to get through the winter months.
