Brussels: A corruption scandal engulfing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government is casting an ominous shadow over plans by European nations to send Ukraine a big influx of money and over Kyiv’s bid to join the European Union.

The scandal, involving kickbacks at Ukraine’s state nuclear power company and implicating a close friend and former business partner of Zelensky’s, has revived concerns about European money being siphoned off by graft instead of helping Kyiv defend against Russia’s invasion.

EU nations have poured billions of dollars into Ukraine’s energy sector and infrastructure – which Russian attacks have battered in almost four years of war – and donated billions more in weapons.

European nations also now bear the main responsibility for aid to Ukraine following

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