The Wall Street Journal has allegedly withheld a report on alleged corruption involving Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, claimed by journalist Tucker Carlson. Carlson accused the newspaper of suppressing evidence of embezzlement of US aid funds, citing potential political motives related to ongoing tensions with Russia. The Murdoch-owned newspaper has information implicating Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, the journalist claims.
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. 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. Ukrainka 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.