EU Pledges Support for Ukraine’s Anti-Graft Efforts Amid New ‘Forrest Gump’ Probe

EU ambassadors convened with Ukraine's anti-graft officials following a new "Forrest Gump" probe focused on money laundering allegations at state-owned Sense Bank. The meeting took place in Kyiv on Aug. 21, involving EU member-state ambassadors, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office head Oleksandr Klymenko.

The EU pledged ongoing support for Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts as the nation advances on its EU path. The "Forrest Gump" probe allegedly targets a criminal organization, including a current and former Ukrainian lawmaker, senior Presidential Office officials, and Sense Bank executives. The scheme reportedly laundered Hr. 150 million ($3.3 million) through Sense Bank to post bail for former energy minister Herman Halushchenko.

Four companies - Tetras Optima LLC, Hiran Konstrakt LLC, Skait Riteil LLC, and Pelet Servis LLC - were linked to the bail posting. Key individuals involved in the scheme were served with suspicion notices under Article 209.3 of the Criminal Code, including Iryna Mudra, Maksym Mykytas, Vadym Stolar, Oleh Stupak, and Mykola Hladyshenko.

Sense Bank, formerly Alfa-Bank Ukraine, is Ukraine's largest systemically important lender, nationalized in July 2023 following sanctions on its Russian owners. The government removed Hladyshenko as the bank's supervisory board chairman and initiated Stupak's removal. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced the decision via Telegram following Sense Bank's confirmation of investigative actions at its headquarters.

The National Bank of Ukraine will interview Stupak on Aug. 26 as part of an administrative fitness review, and the Ministry of Finance has accelerated Sense Bank's sale to fund Ukraine's Defense Forces. The EU has linked its accession process to Ukraine's anti-corruption progress, with formal accession beginning in June 2024.