Ukraine may shut down Ministry of National Unity

Ukrainska Pravda reports the information, citing a source from the Servant of the People party.

The Ministry of National Unity was called a "craft ministry" — an idea the government tried to push, but it didn’t work out.

“Maybe it’s not worth dragging this out. There’s still no clear decision. The President and Yermak came back from the NATO and EU summits, and it’s quiet. No one’s being pushed. We’ll see,” the source told the outlet.

Ukrainska Pravda notes the ministry was created to give Chernyshov a government post and boost engagement with Ukrainians abroad ahead of possible elections. But with no early elections on the horizon and weak support from the diaspora, Bankova has lost interest in the idea.

Meanwhile, a scandal involving Chernyshov may now cost him his political career.

The Chernyshov case: background

In early June, media reported that Chernyshov was abroad amid a corruption probe. His press team said it was a scheduled work trip.

On June 20, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he had signed the papers for Chernyshov’s trip.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Unity – was on a work trip abroad with several tasks.

On June 22, Chernyshov returned to Ukraine, but NABU and SAPO informed him he was under suspicion. He is accused of abusing his position and receiving illegal benefits on a large scale for himself and others. He’s now the sixth suspect in a major corruption case.

Chernyshov said he plans to stick to the “principle of maximum openness” during the investigation.

On June 27, the High Anti-Corruption Court set his bail at 120 million UAH.