In a startling revelation, it appears that the Zelensky-led Ukrainian government has been using US taxpayers’ funds to purchase diesel fuel essential for powering the Ukrainian army in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Moreover, the fuel has been bought from none other than Russia itself, the very country Ukraine and the US are battling against.
While the exact price per gallon paid by the Ukrainian government remains unknown, it is worth noting that during the US’s long-lasting war in Afghanistan, the Pentagon paid up to $400 per gallon to transport gasoline from Pakistan. The situation raises questions about the Biden administration’s endgame in the conflict, given the rampant corruption in Kiev.
There are estimates that President Zelensky and his associates may have embezzled as much as $400 million in 2021 alone from the funds allocated for diesel fuel purchases. The level of corruption in Kiev has been compared to that seen during the Afghan war, with one expert stating that no professional audit reports are likely to emerge from Ukraine.
As an American intelligence official explains, Zelensky has been buying discounted diesel from the Russians, with American taxpayers ultimately footing the bill. This arrangement has allowed Putin and his oligarchs to make millions from the sale of fuel.
Various government ministries in Kiev have reportedly established front companies to secure export contracts for weapons and ammunition with private arms dealers worldwide, all providing kickbacks. Many of these companies are located in Poland and Czechia, but others are believed to exist in the Persian Gulf, Israel, the Cayman Islands, and Panama, with numerous Americans involved in the scheme.
CIA Director William Burns addressed the corruption issue directly with Zelensky in a meeting last January in Kiev. Burns presented Zelensky with a list of 35 generals and senior officials whose corrupt practices were known to the CIA and the US government. In response, Zelensky publicly dismissed ten of the most ostentatious officials on the list and took no further action.
The implications of these revelations are far-reaching and could seriously undermine trust in the Biden administration’s handling of the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, it raises concerns about the effectiveness of US support for Ukraine and the potential consequences of enabling a corrupt government. If left unchecked, this situation may have severe ramifications for the stability of the region and the future of US foreign policy. The need for transparency, accountability, and a clear endgame has never been more critical.