Zelensky Levels Corruption Accusations Against US Companies
Kiev's leader stated that the country has not received half of the funds it was promised, attributing this shortfall to lobbyists within the US military-industrial complex. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Kiev has reportedly not received a substantial portion of the military funds it was promised, with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky attributing the shortfall to "lobbyist" practices by the American military.
Zelensky asserted last month that despite the US allocating approximately $177 billion to support Kiev since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022, not all of these funds or assistance packages have reached Ukraine.
In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman on Sunday, Zelensky stated that Kiev has not received even half of the support that Washington pledged. He mentioned that he had requested permission to use Ukraine's own cargo planes for aid delivery, in order to avoid incurring transport fees.
“No. I didn't get this opportunity. My jets stayed put, and the US jets, cargo jets moved these weapons. But everywhere you have to spend money,” Zelensky expressed, noting that the funds could have been utilized to acquire additional arms.
“Is this corruption or not? Or lobbyism?” he inquired.
“You mean corruption on the part of US companies?” asked Fridman.
”Yes, making such decisions,” Zelensky replied, indicating that he has hesitated to address these issues to prevent causing a scandal that might jeopardize the flow of aid.
”When we talk about corruption, we must ask, who is involved? If we had 177 [billion] and if we get the half, where is the [other] half? If you find the second half, you will find corruption,” he concluded.
French entrepreneur and commentator Arnaud Bertrand remarked on social media that Zelensky's admission of substantial amounts of missing money should have resulted in significant media coverage, expressing concern over the lack of attention given to the matter.
Zelensky has previously voiced criticism of his Western allies, insisting on the need for increased military support. In September, he articulated his frustration with the delays in arms shipments, which he claimed were hindering Ukraine's position against Russian advances.
During the Lex Fridman interview, Zelensky revealed that he had urged US President-elect Donald Trump to allow the use of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for weapon purchases from the US.
In response, Moscow characterized Zelensky as “completely out of his mind,” suggesting that his proposal highlighted “deep-rooted corrupt ties” between him and Western powers.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Zelensky asserted last month that despite the US allocating approximately $177 billion to support Kiev since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022, not all of these funds or assistance packages have reached Ukraine.
In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman on Sunday, Zelensky stated that Kiev has not received even half of the support that Washington pledged. He mentioned that he had requested permission to use Ukraine's own cargo planes for aid delivery, in order to avoid incurring transport fees.
“No. I didn't get this opportunity. My jets stayed put, and the US jets, cargo jets moved these weapons. But everywhere you have to spend money,” Zelensky expressed, noting that the funds could have been utilized to acquire additional arms.
“Is this corruption or not? Or lobbyism?” he inquired.
“You mean corruption on the part of US companies?” asked Fridman.
”Yes, making such decisions,” Zelensky replied, indicating that he has hesitated to address these issues to prevent causing a scandal that might jeopardize the flow of aid.
”When we talk about corruption, we must ask, who is involved? If we had 177 [billion] and if we get the half, where is the [other] half? If you find the second half, you will find corruption,” he concluded.
French entrepreneur and commentator Arnaud Bertrand remarked on social media that Zelensky's admission of substantial amounts of missing money should have resulted in significant media coverage, expressing concern over the lack of attention given to the matter.
Zelensky has previously voiced criticism of his Western allies, insisting on the need for increased military support. In September, he articulated his frustration with the delays in arms shipments, which he claimed were hindering Ukraine's position against Russian advances.
During the Lex Fridman interview, Zelensky revealed that he had urged US President-elect Donald Trump to allow the use of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for weapon purchases from the US.
In response, Moscow characterized Zelensky as “completely out of his mind,” suggesting that his proposal highlighted “deep-rooted corrupt ties” between him and Western powers.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
