Fox News anchor Bret Baier confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday with pointed questions about corruption allegations swirling around Kyiv, as American taxpayers continue footing the bill for Ukraine’s war against Russia.
Zelenskyy’s appearance on “Special Report with Bret Baier” came just one day after he met with Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a proposed 20-point peace plan. Following that meeting, Trump said he and Zelenskyy participated in calls with several European leaders, signaling renewed diplomatic momentum. But Baier made clear that peace talks do not erase serious concerns about how U.S. aid is being handled.
During the interview, Baier cited recent actions by Ukraine’s own anti-corruption agencies, laying out a series of developments that have raised red flags in Washington. He referenced raids on government offices tied to an alleged $100 million kickback scheme, as well as criminal charges brought against senior Ukrainian officials.
“You had, in recent days, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency raided government offices in parliament, tied to this $100 million kickback scheme involving members tied to you,” Baier said, noting that five suspects had been identified. Among them, Baier said, were Zelenskyy ally Timur Mindich and the country’s justice minister, who were charged last month with money laundering.
Baier also pointed to raids on the home of Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, who resigned even though he has not been charged. Baier pressed Zelenskyy directly on what message he has for Americans concerned about corruption while billions in U.S. aid continue flowing into Ukraine.
Zelenskyy defended his administration, insisting that Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions operate independently and are not influenced by political relationships. He argued that investigators pursue cases on their own authority, regardless of whether the individuals involved are close to him personally or politically.
“Look, I’m focusing on the war,” Zelenskyy said. He maintained that anti-corruption agencies “do what they have to do” and that no one is interfering with their work. According to Zelenskyy, the investigations demonstrate that democratic norms are still functioning even under the strain of war.
At the same time, Zelenskyy acknowledged growing concern over corruption but argued that Russia’s invasion upended normal governance from the start. He said many institutions were forced to operate under wartime conditions, which complicated oversight and routine procedures.
“Of course, a lot of concerns,” Zelenskyy said, explaining that the war disrupted how government agencies normally function. He suggested that the chaos of full-scale conflict made it harder to maintain peacetime standards across institutions.
The corruption issue is not new. In November, Zelenskyy faced a scandal that threatened to weaken his political standing and undercut the anti-corruption image he campaigned on. Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau launched an investigation into Mindich, Zelenskyy’s business partner, who was accused of laundering roughly $100 million from the country’s nuclear energy company. While investigators have not directly accused Zelenskyy, his subsequent moves to rein in the bureau’s independence drew scrutiny at home and abroad.
Despite this open corruption, Congress continues to advance even more funding. Lawmakers are pushing forward with a compromise defense bill that includes roughly $400 million more in military aid for Ukraine as the war enters its fourth year.
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