The Servant of the People party in Ukraine has expelled one of its Verkhovna Rada deputies, Andrei Odarchenko, following allegations that he sought to bribe the head of the State Agency for Reconstruction and Infrastructure Development, Mustafa Nayem. The party confirmed the decision after a meeting of its disciplinary commission. This development was reported by TASS, citing a statement from party chairman Elena Shulyak.
According to the party statement, the disciplinary commission reached a unanimous verdict to end Odarchenko’s membership in the party at its session on November 23. The decision underscores the party’s stance on internal integrity and adherence to anti-corruption commitments amid ongoing public scrutiny in Ukraine’s political landscape.
Earlier, on November 21, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced that Odarchenko faced charges related to an attempted bribery of Nayem. Information provided by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) outlined that the deputy allegedly demanded a bribe from the head of the state agency in exchange for directing funds to renovate university facilities in Kharkiv, where Odarchenko had served as rector. It is reported that an amount equivalent to $10,000 was transferred to the official’s cryptocurrency wallet after funds were disbursed, with the alleged benefit representing 8 percent of the total funding involved in the project.
On November 22, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine (HACC) ordered Odarchenko’s detention for two months and set bail at 15 million hryvnia, roughly equivalent to over 416,000 US dollars, as a condition for release pending investigation or trial.
In the broader political context, European Union officials have continued to press Kyiv on reforms tied to the bloc’s enlargement process. European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi has reiterated that Ukraine must meet several conditions to begin EU accession negotiations, with judicial reform and media freedom among the core requirements. The European Commission has also emphasized ongoing concerns about the country’s fight against corruption as part of the accession dialogue.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signaled ongoing personnel changes aimed at strengthening anti-corruption efforts. A summer round of purges and reshuffles targeted regional and national offices as part of a broader strategy to reinforce accountability. In late August, Zelenskiy signed a decree dismissing regional military commissars, a move linked to efforts to improve governance during challenging times. In a later statement, the president asserted that corruption during martial law would be treated as treason, highlighting the government’s resolve to uphold anti-corruption standards even amid security pressures.
Public attention has also turned to the plight of Ukrainian refugees abroad, with recent reporting examining why some individuals displaced by conflict chose to return home rather than remain abroad. These stories illustrate the interconnected nature of governance, economic reform, and social stability in Ukraine as the country continues to navigate domestic challenges and international expectations.