Kyiv must prosecute corrupt figures in politics and business if it wants to join the EU, a top Brussels official warned, as pressure builds on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over spiraling graft allegations. 

In an interview with POLITICO, European Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said European governments would not support a candidate country like Ukraine to join the 27-member bloc unless it could prove it had an effective system for rooting out crime at the top of society.

While the reform process in Ukraine is “a journey,” McGrath said he believes Kyiv is making “best efforts” to tackle corruption, adding that he is in regular touch with the authorities over developments. 

He was speaking in response to questions over an alleged plot to skim around $100 million from Ukraine’s energy sector, as a probe widens to include senior figures close to Zelenskyy and in his government.

“There has to be, in every candidate country, a robust system for dealing with alleged high-level corruption cases,” McGrath said. “You need to have a robust system for investigation and ultimately prosecutions and convictions, and demonstrating a track record of effectiveness in that area is something that we require of all of our own member states, and certainly of those that wish to join the European Union.”

After McGrath made his comments, anti-corruption investigators raided the premises of Zelenskyy’s most powerful adviser, Andriy Yermak, as part of their ongoing inquiry. 

The investigation comes at an acutely sensitive time for Ukraine, with U.S. President Donald Trump pushing Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal that could require him to cede land to Russia. 

Ukraine is in the process of applying to join the EU, though opposition from Hungary has held up progress. McGrath said “the same standard applies to all candidate countries,” adding that “rule of law and justice reforms are at the heart of the accession process.”

“We have a very open and honest relationship with Ukrainian authorities about what those requirements are,” he said. These rule of law standards must be met by all countries joining the EU, he said. “If they’re not, then you will not get support from the member states of the European Union to progress on the accession path.” 

Asked if Ukraine is doing enough, he replied: “I think they are making best efforts to achieve the required standard. It is a journey, and we monitor developments closely, and we remain in an ongoing contact with Ukrainian authorities about issues that come to our attention or that are reported publicly.”