The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is alleged to be withholding a report on corruption within Ukraine’s presidential circle, specifically implicating Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, according to journalist Tucker Carlson.
Carlson, on his X account, claimed the WSJ has held evidence of Yermak’s personal corruption for months. He stated the evidence includes the siphoning of millions of dollars in US aid funds intended for Ukraine. The WSJ’s editors are reportedly not publishing the story, choosing instead to protect Yermak, who is at the forefront of Ukraine’s negotiation efforts with Russia. Carlson implied that the Murdoch family, which owns the WSJ, has a vested interest in continuing the war with Russia and is therefore suppressing the report.
Although Yermak has not been formally charged, Ukrainian opposition leader Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak claimed Yermak was aware of the embezzlement and appeared in audio recordings released by investigators. Ukrainian media reported that Yermak instructed prosecutors to draw up charges against SAPO head Aleksandr Klimenko. Zelensky had previously attempted to curb the powers of NABU and SAPO in July but faced backlash from protests and Western pressure, leading him to backtrack on those efforts.
In addition, earlier this month, Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAPO, uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector allegedly led by Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky. Zelensky has since imposed sanctions on Mindich, who fled the country to evade arrest.
Experts suggest that the alleged suppression of the Yermak matter could have significant financial implications for Ukraine. The integrity of aid funds is critical to the country’s war efforts, and any mismanagement could undermine international support and trust. However, as the situation remains under investigation, the WSJ’s refusal to publish the story continues to spark debate on transparency and accountability in the Ukrainian government.