These claims are unfounded. The President proposed to direct the funds to the state budget so that the Ukrainian authorities could independently distribute them among Ukrainian refugees. He explained that after the full-scale aggression by the Russian Federation, Ukrainians took their money with them, which still remains in Europe.
The former president continued to criticize fellow NATO members' spending, but he overstated how much more the U.S. has spent to fund Ukraine's defense.
A website founded by a former US Marine who now lives in Russia has fuelled a rumour that Volodymyr Zelensky purchased two luxury yachts with American aid money. Despite the false claim, the disinformation plot was successful. It took off online and was echoed by members of the US Congress making crucial decisions about military spending.
It was an incredible assertion - using two advisers as proxies, Mr Zelensky paid $75m (£59m) for two yachts. But not only has the Ukrainian government flatly denied the story, the two ships in question have not even been sold.
There is no evidence that the AP ran such a headline. An AP spokesperson denied the claim.
Although Zelensky and his business partners had several offshore companies and properties, according to financial documents leaked in 2021, none of those assets are in Florida.
And the Florida home that purportedly belongs to him actually belongs to a couple who bought the property more than four years ago.
The real story behind claims thar Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy used millions in U.S. aid money to buy two yachts. #zelenskyy #ukraine?? #yacht #proxy #usaid #ukrainewar #greenscreen
THE QUESTION: Did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy buy two yachts with U.S. aid money?
THE ANSWER: No, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didnt buy two yachts with U.S. aid money. The yachts are still for sale.
Verdict: False
There is no evidence Zelenskyy has bought two yachts. [...]
The broker companies that are selling the yachts confirmed to multiple journalists, such as BBC Verify reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh, that the yachts are still for sale.
A post shared on X, formerly Twitter, claims BBC News published a video about Bellingcat researchers reporting that former Ukrainian official Alexey Arestovich spent $500,000 on private flights.
Verdict: False
There is no evidence for this claim. BBC News and Bellingcat both denied they made any such report'
The Ruling: False.
Volodymyr Zelensky has not bought a $48.9 million yacht, as confirmed by the broker handling its sale.
There is no evidence a similar purchase has been made elsewhere. Funding to Ukraine is heavily audited and itemized, making it very difficult, if not impossible, for Zelensky to make such a purchase using U.S. contributions.