Detective Mahamedrasulov must be released. He is an independent investigator for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). He uncovered some of the most damning evidence of the giant theft scheme known as Operation Midas. Top aides and associates of President Zelenskyy stand accused of stealing at least US$100 million from state energy operations, even as the nation endures the hardships of war.

Tymur Mindich and other shadowy figures close to Zelenskyy acted like mobsters, raided the public treasury of the people, and fled the country like cowards. Ukrainians have just now become aware of the audacity of their crimes, which funded opulent lifestyles that included toilets made of gold and a luxury housing development called Dynasty.

So, as regular patriots across Ukraine deal with the privations and sacrifices of war, these racketeers fleeced the people. In addition, these crimes greatly offend the United States, which has been the primary sponsor and ally of Ukraine throughout the war.

The people of America will not tolerate this kind of grand larceny from a nation that has been gifted with hundreds of billions of dollars from generous US taxpayers. Now, the American FBI joins the NABU in cooperating as investigators – because US laws were likely broken by these conspirators, as well.

Thankfully, brave and honest law enforcement officers do exist within Ukraine, people like Mahamedrasulov. But instead of commendation, that detective has been arrested and charged by the Zelenskyy regime, under the ridiculous pretence that he was somehow working on behalf of the Russians. In fact, that smear has become the go-to default allegation leveraged to harass and intimidate political opponents of Zelenskyy and his henchman, Andrii Yermak.

The timeline is key here. Approximately two weeks before Mahamedrasulov was detained, there was a meeting between Yermak and Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine. During that meeting, Maliuk informed Yermak that NABU was conducting a criminal investigation against Tymur Mindich. He also informed Yermak that there were recordings from Mindich's apartment at 9A Hrushevskoho Street.

Then, a subsequent meeting took place with Zelenskyy, Yermak and Maliuk. At this meeting, Maliuk relayed to Zelenskyy everything he had previously told Yermak, and identified Mahamedrasulov as the investigator handling the Mindich case. Zelenskyy became furious and asked Maliuk whether the wiretap recordings existed or not. "I am certain they do, but I cannot say what exactly is on them," Maliuk replied.

Maliuk was instructed to develop a plan to attack NABU. He proposed to Yermak that they arrest Mahamedrasulov and launch a search raid against the NABU. These searches were intended to find the recordings. These searches were executed under the ridiculous pretext of investigating traffic accidents involving NABU workers.

Concurrently, Yermak presented a draft of a new law to Zelenskyy, aimed at stripping NABU of its powers — thus freezing the Mindich case. Zelenskyy gave him the green light.

Yermak then contacted the head of the Servant of the People faction, Davyd Arakhamia, and briefed him on the new law to push through the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). Yermak also confirmed to Arakhamia that Zelenskyy himself approved this plan. Arakhamia warned of the potential fallout, but proceeded.

When the SSU eventually nabbed Mahamedrasulov, the arresting authorities only questioned him regarding Mindich, especially the tapes. But Mahamedrasulov remained silent and would not even confirm that he had worked on the Mindich investigation.

Thanks to Western pressure and protests within Ukraine, Zelenskyy reversed himself and restored NABU's powers. But Mahamedrasulov remains locked up. Consider that paradox: right now, Mindich and his crooked financier, Oleksandr "Sugarman" Tsukerman, live in luxury, safely ensconced in Israel, while this patriotic detective sits in prison for the supposed "crime" of investigating their scam.

Unless urgent actions are taken, the United States simply cannot continue to act as the foundational partner of Ukraine. America has been indispensable in the defence of Ukraine, providing mountains of weapons, money, and intelligence sharing. But Zelenskyy continues to act like a kleptocrat who is unworthy of such American generosity.

Right now, peace seems imminent as a flurry of negotiations unfold across the globe, orchestrated by the Trump Administration. Only weeks ago, President Trump made history by brokering a peace to end the brutal fighting in Gaza. Now, it appears his efforts will also find a reasonable solution to end the killing in Ukraine and Russia.

However, looking forward, Ukraine will still need America in the post-war era. In fact, the United States can become even more powerful for Ukraine as a partner to rebuild and restore that nation, battered by years of war. But such a partnership cannot be forged with a Zelenskyy regime that acts more like a cartel than a transparent democratic government. As such, the process of Ukrainian restoration must involve a systemic shift against corruption so that the people of Ukraine can achieve the kind of lasting prosperity they deserve.

Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers, a populist right advocacy group for labourers and a former broadcaster for Fox News and CNN.

He is a pollster and senior advisor to major US political campaigns, including Trump 2016 and 2020, and Vance's 2022 Senate run.