19 November 2025, Wednesday, 20:26

Rada enters consultation mode on consequences of corruption scandal - Stefanchuk

Daria Zubkova

The Verkhovna Rada is entering consultation mode on consequences of corruption scandal in the energy sector. This was announced by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, closing the session of the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday, November 19, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"I am now declaring a break in our plenary session. I want to inform you that in accordance with the decision of the Conciliation Council, we are now entering consultation mode on the situation that has developed, so we will inform you additionally about the next session," he said.

Stefanchuk made this statement after the Verkhovna Rada voted to dismiss Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko (in the government of Denys Shmyhal in April 2021-July 2025, he held the position of Minister of Energy) and Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk amid the corruption scandal in the energy sector.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on November 18, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that this week he would hold meetings with government officials, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, and members of the Servant of the People faction regarding legislative initiatives and principled decisions.

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Zelenskyy is currently on a visit to Turkey to intensify negotiations on ending the war and returning prisoners.

The Verkhovna Rada says that, amid the scandal over corruption in the energy sector, Zelenskyy intends to dismiss the head of the President's Office, Andrii Yermak, on Thursday, November 20. Also, Verkhovna Rada member from the Servant of the People Fedir Venislavskyi said that Yermak should leave his post. According to him, lively discussions are currently underway in the pro-presidential faction regarding the possible resignation of the head of the Office.

In recent days, information has been circulating online that, amid the scandal, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov has allegedly left abroad and is refusing to return to Ukraine.