The MFA has responded to statements by former ambassador Serhiy Nizhynskyi on corruption: preparing a referral to law enforcement agencies

The official comment on Nizhynskyi’s statements was provided to 24 Channel by the MFA press service. They noted that they would contact the competent authorities requesting a thorough investigation of the claims.

The ministry sharply rejected “false and baseless accusations of alleged corruption or other unlawful actions that have no grounds whatsoever”.

They pointed out that the testimony given at the meeting of the temporary investigative commission was provided on record and with a signed acknowledgment, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Temporary Investigative Commissions and Temporary Special Commissions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”.

The press service suggested that Nizhynskyi may have been motivated by revenge following his recall from the post of ambassador to Cyprus. However, the MFA stressed that “this does not add credibility to the accusations voiced”.

They added that Nizhynskyi’s actions, in particular making public his personal conflict with the candidate for honorary consul of Ukraine in the Republic of Cyprus Ellinas Christodoulos and a series of related scandals, had negatively affected Ukraine’s foreign policy interests.

The ministry believes this created reputational risks for bilateral relations with Cyprus as well as for the MFA and the state in general. They also noted that the former ambassador’s current statements are being actively disseminated by Russian and pro-Russian information resources.

We are convinced that this stream of consciousness and baseless accusations only confirms the timeliness and correctness of the decision to recall the said individual from the post of ambassador,
– the MFA comment states.