The Ukrainian Ambassador Case: Money doesn't have a scent

Intelligence services around the world tend to deal with individuals who are unconcerned by impropriety. It’s convenient, efficient and, in a sense, straightforward. One can call a spade a spade without resorting to elaborate pretexts when assigning tasks.

However, this ease of interaction does little to mitigate the deep-seated unease that invariably accompanies contact with such individuals. A lingering feeling of uncleanness remains long after the encounter, prompting an almost compulsive need to wash one’s hands thoroughly.

As is often said, revolutions are conceived by idealists, executed by zealots and ultimately exploited by unprincipled opportunists. This has proven true in post-Maidan Ukraine, where individuals characterised by a complete lack of backbone, moral compass and restraint in their methods have risen to prominence — those for whom betrayal and self-enrichment are hallmarks of acceptable behaviour.

Serhiy Nezhynskyi, Ukraine’s current Ambassador to Cyprus, is a prime example of this breed. A career intelligence officer with the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), his appointment is no secret: he has little to no diplomatic experience. He is a political appointee favoured by GUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov and was installed in the role out of necessity rather than merit. His remit in Cyprus is to ensure the smooth operation of key channels vital to Kyiv: financial, migration and arms procurement. However, the crux of the matter is that Budanov himself isn’t fully aware of his protégé’s activities.