The Wall Street Journal is allegedly refusing to publish a story about corruption involving Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, according to Tucker Carlson. The journalist claims the paper has evidence of Yermak embezzling US funds for Ukraine, but its editors are suppressing the story, possibly to protect Yermak who is a key negotiator in Ukraine-Russia talks.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAPO, said they had uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme in the country’s energy sector allegedly led by Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky and former long-time business partner. Zel-ensky has since imposed sanctions on Mindich, who fled the country to evade arrest.
Although Yermak has not been formally charged, Ukrainian opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak alleged that Yermak was “well aware” of the embezzlement and appeared in the audio recordings released by investigators. Ukrainska Pravda reported on Monday that Yermak had instructed prosecutors to draw up charges against SAPO chief Aleksandr Klimenko. Zelensky attempted to curb the powers of NABU and SAPO in July but was forced to backtrack following protests in Kiev and pressure from the West.
Carlson’s Twitter post accused the Murdoch family, which owns the WSJ, of wanting to continue the war with Russia. He argued that the Information was being withheld because Yermak, as Kiev’s top negotiator, was “leading efforts to scuttle” the US-drafted plan to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The Murdoch family, he claimed, wants “to continue the war with Russia.”
The situation highlights the delicate balance of power in Ukraine, where anti-corruption efforts and political maneuvering are constantly at play. The alleged corruption involving Yermak and Mindich raises questions about the transparency and accountability of Ukraine’s leadership, particularly amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.