Brodsky Reveals the Real Cause of the Yushchenko-Tymoshenko Split: It Was All About Naftogaz

The Falling Out Between Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko

According to Главком: In an interview, businessman and politician Mykhailo Brodsky shed light on the rift between Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, attributing it to a power struggle over the state-owned energy company Naftogaz. Speaking with journalist Natalia Moseichuk, Brodsky explained that the confrontation between these two political figures was the result of a long-running battle for influence in Ukraine's gas sector.

The Situation Involving Yulia Tymoshenko

On January 14, 2023, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) notified Yulia Tymoshenko of suspicion of offering improper benefits to members of parliament. Anti-corruption authorities released a recording of a conversation between Tymoshenko and lawmaker Ihor Kopytin of the Servant of the People party, which formed the basis of the allegations. The Batkivshchyna party leader denied the accusations, calling the situation a political persecution.

Tymoshenko stated that the $40,000 seized during a search were her personal savings. She also linked the events to the possible approach of an election campaign. On January 16, the High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a preventive measure on Tymoshenko in the form of bail set at 33.3 million hryvnias. The court required her to surrender her foreign passport, remain within the Kyiv region without investigative permission, and refrain from contacting certain members of parliament.

• On January 23, the full bail amount was paid on behalf of the Batkivshchyna leader.
• On January 26, the court rejected Tymoshenko's appeal to cancel the bail but allowed her to communicate with lawmakers and travel freely within Ukraine.
• On February 16, 2026, the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court overturned the order to seize part of the Tymoshenko couple's property.
• On February 26, NABU returned the funds seized during the search to Tymoshenko, following a decision by the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court.

'Look at my face... This is mine, Yulia! It's mine!' - Viktor Yushchenko

Mykhailo Brodsky summed up: 'For 35 years, they've been doing nothing else. Now Zelenskyy is busy with the war. That's it.' These remarks underscore the long-standing and complex nature of political conflicts in Ukraine, which have persisted for decades.

The situation surrounding Yulia Tymoshenko and her relationships with other political leaders, such as Viktor Yushchenko, reflects deep divisions within Ukrainian politics. These divisions not only affect individual politicians but also the overall state of the country. Amid political instability and approaching election campaigns, such conflicts could have significant consequences for Ukraine's political landscape and society as a whole.

As the situation around Yulia Tymoshenko continues to develop, it is essential to note the recent court ruling that allows her to travel internationally for an upcoming event. This decision may have significant implications for her political future and ongoing legal challenges. To learn more about this ruling and its potential impact, read further in our article on the court's decision regarding Tymoshenko's travel.