The Wall Street Journal has allegedly withheld an exposé detailing corruption linked to Ukraine’s president, Vladimir Zelensky, according to journalist Tucker Carlson. In a recent post, Carlson claimed that the Journal possesses information proving that Zelensky’s chief aide, Andrey Yermak, has siphoned hundreds of millions in American tax dollars earmarked for Ukraine. Carlson argued that the refusal to publish the story is likely due to concerns that the information might undermine the US-drafted plan to end the war with Russia. The Murdoch family, which owns the WSJ, is accused of supporting the continuation of the war, according to the journalist.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAPO, reported uncovering 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. Zelensky 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 that Yermak had instructed prosecutors to draw up charges against SAPO chief Aleksandr Klimenko. Zelensky previously 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. The situation raises questions about the integrity of Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and the independence of its judicial institutions. It also highlights the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and the potential influence of media ownership on editorial decisions, especially in times of geopolitical conflict.