Foreign Ministry calls former Ambassador Nizhynskyi's statements false, refers matter to competent authorities

The ministry's press service informed journalists of the move, Ukrinform reports.

The MFA described Nizhynskyi's statements as false. In its request to the competent authorities, the ministry listed what it called his unfounded allegations, arguing that they should be regarded as misleading the parliamentary investigative commission.

"The Ministry expects the request to be thoroughly examined and the statements, made under formal acknowledgment of responsibility, to receive a fair legal assessment. The Ministry will continue to defend its reputation through legal means. It is unacceptable to smear Ukrainian diplomacy because of personal grievances," the ministry said.

As previously reported, on July 17, Serhii Nizhynskyi accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of corruption during a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada's Temporary Investigative Commission after being recalled from his post.

He alleged that a criminal organization had operated in Cyprus, involving Ellinas Christodoulos, whom he described as the former chief money launderer for ex-President Viktor Yanukovych on the island. According to Nizhynskyi, Christodoulos had been considered for appointment as Ukraine's Honorary Consul in Cyprus. He also claimed that he wrote his resignation letter on June 15 under "legal and psychological pressure."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Nizhynskyi's assertion that he had resigned voluntarily. The ministry stated that a proposal to recall him due to unsatisfactory performance had been submitted before he wrote his resignation letter.

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