乌克兰国家核能机构Energoatom爆出涉及高达1亿美元贪腐与洗钱丑闻，已导致两位部长被撤职，一人被捕，预计将有更多高层下台。这场危机被称为自俄乌战争以来最严重的一次，令乌克兰境内外愤慨。普通乌克兰人在前线作战或每日遭遇俄军攻击时，发现高层侵吞本应用于国防的巨大资源，极大影响士气和基层支持。

尽管这起丑闻规模惊人，其揭露的腐败现象并非新生。乌克兰长期存在腐败问题，虽然情况不如俄国严重，但西方促使乌克兰改革的进程本就缓慢且伴随挫折。值得注意的是，乌克兰反腐败机构依然能够独立开展工作，这正是西方支援方希望看到的积极信号。当前并无证据表明总统泽连斯基直接涉案，但他的地位明显受损，核心幕僚压力剧增。专家指出，泽连斯基若无法有效遏制腐败，即使更换领导人，对国家大势影响有限。

尽管丑闻增加了欧洲和美国部分势力削减对乌援助的借口，但从地缘政治角度分析，西方过去投入约4000亿美元援助乌克兰，其根本出发点并非乌克兰的廉洁，而在于防止俄罗斯得利。若西方动摇，最终胜利者只能是普京，而其后果将导致欧洲门口出现一个充满矛盾、动荡与武装的乌克兰。西方不能因个别腐败事件失去对莫斯科更大威胁的警惕。

A major corruption and money-laundering scandal at Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear agency Energoatom, involving up to $100 million, has already led to the removal of two ministers and the arrest of one, with further high-level dismissals expected. This crisis is described as the worst faced by President Zelensky since Russia’s invasion nearly four years ago, provoking outrage both domestically and among Ukraine’s Western supporters. Ordinary Ukrainians, either fighting at the front or enduring relentless Russian attacks, now see vital resources allegedly diverted from their defense efforts.

Though the scale is shocking, the corruption revealed is not new. Ukraine, long plagued by graft—though less than in Russia—has seen reform efforts progress slowly. Significantly, anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine still seem capable of functioning independently, an encouraging sign for Western backers. For now, no direct evidence implicates President Zelensky, but his position is clearly weakened and his inner circle is under pressure. Observers note that if he cannot address corruption effectively, his replacement would not fundamentally alter Ukraine’s trajectory.

While the scandal has prompted Western critics to call for reduced aid, strategically, the West’s approximately $400 billion support for Ukraine has never been contingent on perfect governance. Withholding aid would only benefit Putin and risk creating an unstable, armed Ukraine on Europe’s border. The West must not let a corruption scandal obscure the greater danger posed by Moscow.