Category Misconceptions

Zelenskyy met with Democrats – and Republicans – before his meeting with Trump

Claim: On Feb. 28, 2025, before a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Democrats who convinced him to reject a deal that would allow the U.S. to exploit minerals in Ukraine in exchange for U.S. support in Ukraine's war with Russia.

Rating: Mixture.

What's True: Zelenskyy did meet with Democratic U.S. senators ...
What's False: ... but that meeting also included at least three Republican senators. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, emphatically rejected claims that the Democrats of the U.S. Senate delegation had dissuaded Zelenskyy from taking the minerals deal. Further, Zelenskyy confirmed to reporters two days after the meeting that his country was ready to accept the deal.

Read MoreZelenskyy met with Democrats – and Republicans – before his meeting with Trump

Fake: Dish Called “Smash Trump” Appeared in Dnipro Café

There is no evidence that such a meal has actually appeared in Ukraine. The original source of this claim is the Telegram channel of Yulia Vityazeva, the former host of the Russian propaganda programme Solovyov Live. In addition, there is no mention of this dish in any credible source, and the name of the restaurant remains unknown. Furthermore, digital analysis of the image's flaws suggests that it was most likely artificially generated or altered. All of this suggests that the information is false.

Read MoreFake: Dish Called “Smash Trump” Appeared in Dnipro Café

Did Zelensky swear at JD Vance during heated Oval Office meeting?

A viral video is circulating on social media in which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is allegedly caught on camera calling JD Vance a "bitch" during Friday's unprecedented diplomatic row at the White House. Also, how many times has Zelensky thanked the United States for its support? We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreDid Zelensky swear at JD Vance during heated Oval Office meeting?

Grok Neural Network Shows Handcuffed Zelensky Behind Bars in Times Square

The New York Times never published this video, and its real existence has not been confirmed online, despite the claim that it was shown in New York city centre. The footage shown in the video does not match the indicated text prompt, which alludes to editing. In addition, the video first appeared on a pro-Russian Telegram channel and was shared exclusively though propaganda sources, which confirms its fake origin.

Read MoreGrok Neural Network Shows Handcuffed Zelensky Behind Bars in Times Square

Fake: Grok Neural Network Shows Handcuffed Zelensky Behind Bars in Times Square

The New York Times never published this video, and its real existence has not been confirmed online, despite the claim that it was shown in New York city centre. The footage shown in the video does not match the indicated text prompt, which alludes to editing. In addition, the video first appeared on a pro-Russian Telegram channel and was shared exclusively though propaganda sources, which confirms its fake origin.

Read MoreFake: Grok Neural Network Shows Handcuffed Zelensky Behind Bars in Times Square