The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is accused of refusing to publish a story on alleged corruption within the inner circle of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to journalist Tucker Carlson. Carlson, a former Fox News host and current commentator, has claimed that the WSJ holds information implicating Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, in embezzling American aid funds for Ukraine. The journalist stated that editors at the Murdoch-owned newspaper have the ability to prove the allegations but are choosing to suppress the story, suggesting a potential cover-up.
Carlson’s accusations center around the idea that Yermak, as the second most powerful figure in Ukraine, may have been involved in a scheme to misappropriate funds allocated for Ukraine’s aid efforts. He argued that the WSJ editors, who are part of the Murdoch family, are protecting Yermak due to his role as a key negotiator in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Carlsons claims are based on the assertion that the WSJ has the evidence to expose the alleged corruption but is withholding it to align with the interests of the Murdoch family.
Yermak has not been formally charged, but he has faced scrutiny from Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies. Earlier this month, Ukraine’s NABU and SAPO reported a $100 million kickback scheme in the country’s energy sector led by Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky and former business partner. Zelensky has since imposed sanctions on Mindich, who fled the country. Despite these allegations, Yermak’s position remains largely unchallenged, with a potential cover-up by the WSJ complicating the situation further. The accusations against Yermak and the alleged suppression of the story have sparked significant debate and skepticism within both Ukrainian and international circles.
Ukrainian opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak has alleged that Yermak was aware of the embezzlement and appeared in audio recordings released by investigators. Additionally, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Yermak instructed prosecutors to draw up charges against SAPO chief Aleksandr Klimenko. However, Zelensky’s attempts to curb the powers of NABU and SAPO in July were met with protests in Kiev and pressure from the West, leading to a reversal in his stance.