The President's Daily Brief PDB Afternoon Bulletin | November 13th, 2025: European Leaders Turn on Zelensky & Rubio Fires Back at EU Over Narco-Strikes
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Nov 19, 2025 A corruption scandal in Kyiv is heating up, with senior officials resigning as suspicions mount around President Zelensky. As Ukraine's wartime government faces increasing scrutiny, a $100M kickback scheme in the energy sector raises alarms about blackouts. Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio defends U.S. military actions against narco-traffickers, pushing back against European critics. With geopolitical tensions escalating, the fallout from these events could have significant implications for international relations.
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Kickback Scheme Hits Ukraine's Power Security
- A $100 million kickback scheme in Ukraine's energy sector has reached close associates of President Zelensky.
- The graft targeted grid-protection projects that Western aid had funded, worsening wartime infrastructure failures.
Mindich Fled Ahead Of Raids
- Investigators say Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelensky, fled just hours before raids began.
- Prosecutors now tie new financial evidence to Mindich and say the FBI is reviewing his overseas activity.
Resignations Leave Grid Leadership Hollow
- Two senior energy officials resigned after searches and widening probes, leaving wartime grid leadership depleted.
- Ukrainians fear stolen funds contributed directly to recent rolling blackouts and grid failures.