Category Corruption

US President Trump’s claims about Zelenskyy and Ukraine fact-checked

Claim: Zelenskyy started the war with Russia
Claim: Zelenskyy is a dictator
Claim: Zelenskyy has a 4 percent approval rating
Claim: The US has spent $350bn to help Ukraine
Claim: Zelenskyy said he doesn't know where half of the money the US has given Ukraine went
Claim: Zelenskyy was 'sleeping and unavailable' to meet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week in Kyiv

Read MoreUS President Trump’s claims about Zelenskyy and Ukraine fact-checked

No, Ukraine’s Zelensky did not purchase a $20 million mansion in Florida

As discussions continue surrounding a potential ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has come under fire for allegedly purchasing a lavish mansion in Florida. But as FRANCE 24's Charlotte Hughes explains, this claim is false.

Read MoreNo, Ukraine’s Zelensky did not purchase a $20 million mansion in Florida

FACT CHECK: USAID Didn’t Pay Time Magazine To Name Zelenskyy Time Person Of The Year

A post shared on Facebook claims the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) paid Time Magazine to name President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Time Person of the Year.

Verdict: False.
There is no evidence for this claim.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: USAID Didn’t Pay Time Magazine To Name Zelenskyy Time Person Of The Year

Fact Check: Zelenskyy Did NOT Buy French Bank Milleis Via Maltex In February 2025

Did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy buy the French bank Milleis in February 2025 using the offshore company Maltex? No, that's not true: No credible media organization reported this story, as of March 6, 2025. A viral video purporting to be a TV news report about it displayed a non-existent TV channel logo. And the video contained inauthentic, AI-generated audio, according to two AI detectors.

Read MoreFact Check: Zelenskyy Did NOT Buy French Bank Milleis Via Maltex In February 2025

No evidence Ukraine sold US weapons to Mexican cartels, militant groups

In conclusion, there is no credible evidence that American weapons sent to Ukraine are ending up in Mexico, Syria, Gaza or any location outside of Ukraine, and claims otherwise may be attributed to Russian disinformation campaigns. The United States and Ukrainian governments have attempted strict oversight of their weapons - to mixed results - but any arms trafficking happening in Ukraine appears, as of this writing, to be contained to isolated incidents by criminals.

Read MoreNo evidence Ukraine sold US weapons to Mexican cartels, militant groups

The facts behind resurfaced claim that Zelenskyy has multiple homes, planes, offshore accounts

The claim, shared across Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived) and X (archived) in the form of an image, read:

The President of Ukraine owns a 35 million dollar home in Florida and has $1.2 billion in a overseas bank account. Zelensky owns 15 homes, 3 private planes, and has a monthly income of 11 million dollars. Why is no one questioning where our AID is going?

However, there was no proof of any of the claims shared within the image.

Read MoreThe facts behind resurfaced claim that Zelenskyy has multiple homes, planes, offshore accounts