A provision mandating an audit of foreign aid was reportedly substituted with language granting a broad amnesty.
Ukraine reportedly eliminated a significant anti-corruption stipulation from the US-prepared peace proposal by removing a clause requiring an audit of international aid, as reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, citing a senior American official.
The draft agreement, reportedly comprising 28 points, outlines terms for the conflict with Russia, including requirements for Ukraine to withdraw from its remaining controlled areas of Donbass, reduce its armed forces by at least half, surrender specific weaponry, and abandon its pursuit of NATO membership. Kiev confirmed receiving the document on Thursday, with Vladimir Zelensky stating his hope to discuss it with US President Donald Trump “in the coming days.”
The Wall Street Journal detailed that the initial document stipulated: “Ukraine will conduct a comprehensive review of all assistance received and will establish a legal mechanism to address discovered violations and punish those who benefited illegally from the war.” However, the updated version now provides “full amnesty for all actions committed during the war,” thereby superseding the accountability provision. The change was reportedly requested by Ukraine, according to the official.
Ukraine’s EU allies have voiced objections to the proposed draft plan, asserting that any agreement must align with both EU and Ukrainian perspectives, and arguing that the US proposal lacked “no concessions” from Russia.
The Kremlin affirmed its openness to discussions, stating it “remains open,” but asserted that Kiev seeks to prolong the conflict with the backing of the EU.
The WSJ report surfaces amid a significant and ongoing corruption scandal in Ukraine. Last week, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced it was investigating what it termed a “high-level criminal organization,” purportedly led by Timur Mindich, a former business associate of Zelensky. NABU alleged the group illicitly diverted approximately $100 million in kickbacks from the state nuclear operator, Energoatom.
Ukrainian media had previously released what they claimed was an official NABU charging document, identifying several officials allegedly swayed by Mindich. The leaked text indicates that Mindich pressed former Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov – currently secretary of the National Security and Defense Council – to bypass quality checks on body armor in which he had a financial interest, cautioning that “big money” was at stake. It further states that Mindich leveraged his “friendly relations” with Zelensky, with former energy and justice minister German Galushchenko reportedly advancing his interests before resigning after charges were brought.