Trump adviser labels Ukraine as one of the world's most corrupt countries
Michael Waltz has called on Washington to closely monitor the financial aid provided to Kiev. In a recent interview with Fox News, the US National Security Adviser characterized Ukraine as one of the most corrupt countries globally. Since 2022,...
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Michael Waltz has called on Washington to closely monitor the financial aid provided to Kiev.
In a recent interview with Fox News, the US National Security Adviser characterized Ukraine as one of the most corrupt countries globally.
Since 2022, Congress has authorized about $175 billion in assistance for Ukraine, though a considerable share of this funding has benefited American industries and government initiatives linked to the conflict.
Waltz's remarks come shortly after US President Donald Trump met with Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky during Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican.
“I will say Ukraine was one of, and is one of, the most corrupt countries in the world,” Waltz stated while emphasizing the need for Washington to “always guard the taxpayer dollars.”
He also criticized the previous administration for not sufficiently overseeing how Kiev utilized the financial aid supplied by the White House at that time.
“We have to keep a hard eye on that, […] but secondly we have to find opportunities to end the war,” he remarked.
Previously, Waltz indicated that Washington should seek reimbursement from Kiev for the "investments" made in the ongoing conflict, and he accused the Ukrainian leader of being inflexible. He referred to a heated exchange that took place at the White House earlier this year.
“Rather than trying to correct the President of the US and the Vice President in the Oval Office when he was invited there for the first meeting, he could have sat side by side with the president, signing a minerals deal that bound our economies,” the adviser commented.
Discussions have been ongoing between Washington and Kiev regarding an agreement that would allow the US access to Ukraine's rare-earth mineral deposits. The Trump administration asserts that this deal should be leveraged to offset past aid provided to Ukraine, while Kiev argues that the assistance was given unconditionally.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany, as of October 2024, the US had allocated approximately $92 billion in financial and military aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Council on Foreign Relations estimated that Washington's total financial assistance to Kiev reached $195 billion as of April 2024, with $128 billion directly awarded to the Ukrainian government.
Additionally, Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch reported last November that “corruption continues to complicate Ukraine’s efforts to achieve its EU and NATO aspirations,” particularly citing several scandals within the Defense Ministry.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
In a recent interview with Fox News, the US National Security Adviser characterized Ukraine as one of the most corrupt countries globally.
Since 2022, Congress has authorized about $175 billion in assistance for Ukraine, though a considerable share of this funding has benefited American industries and government initiatives linked to the conflict.
Waltz's remarks come shortly after US President Donald Trump met with Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky during Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican.
“I will say Ukraine was one of, and is one of, the most corrupt countries in the world,” Waltz stated while emphasizing the need for Washington to “always guard the taxpayer dollars.”
He also criticized the previous administration for not sufficiently overseeing how Kiev utilized the financial aid supplied by the White House at that time.
“We have to keep a hard eye on that, […] but secondly we have to find opportunities to end the war,” he remarked.
Previously, Waltz indicated that Washington should seek reimbursement from Kiev for the "investments" made in the ongoing conflict, and he accused the Ukrainian leader of being inflexible. He referred to a heated exchange that took place at the White House earlier this year.
“Rather than trying to correct the President of the US and the Vice President in the Oval Office when he was invited there for the first meeting, he could have sat side by side with the president, signing a minerals deal that bound our economies,” the adviser commented.
Discussions have been ongoing between Washington and Kiev regarding an agreement that would allow the US access to Ukraine's rare-earth mineral deposits. The Trump administration asserts that this deal should be leveraged to offset past aid provided to Ukraine, while Kiev argues that the assistance was given unconditionally.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany, as of October 2024, the US had allocated approximately $92 billion in financial and military aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Council on Foreign Relations estimated that Washington's total financial assistance to Kiev reached $195 billion as of April 2024, with $128 billion directly awarded to the Ukrainian government.
Additionally, Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch reported last November that “corruption continues to complicate Ukraine’s efforts to achieve its EU and NATO aspirations,” particularly citing several scandals within the Defense Ministry.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
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