FACT CHECK: No, European Leaders Didn’t Take Off Suit Jackets In Support Of Ukraine
Verdict: False.
The image has been photoshopped.
Category European Union
Fact Check: Edited Image Shows European Leaders Taking Off Their Suit Coats In Support Of Ukraine — No Actual Video
Does a viral image authentically show European leaders taking off their suit coats in support of Ukraine during a group picture? No, that's not true: The image is likely a screenshot from a video that was digitally edited, possibly using AI. Actual footage of the moment the group picture was taken did not show anyone taking off their suit and no news outlets reported about it happening at the time.
“Europe also has no weapons – the warehouses are empty.”
Conclusion: European military outmatches Russian in key areas, with 1.47 million personnel, 367,760 armored vehicles and over 2,000 warships, including six aircraft carriers. France, Germany and Britain are increasing defense spending, while Russia struggles with losses, outdated stockpiles, and sanctions-limited weapons production.
Dictator without elections’?: fact-checking Trump’s main criticisms of Zelensky
In mid-February 2025, Donald Trump multiplied his attacks against Volodymyr Zelensky, branding the Ukrainian president a "dictator without elections," questioning the use of American aid to Ukraine, and accusing him of "starting" the war. Here is a look back at these statements, which were false, misleading or unsubstantiated according to AFP's analysis, revealing unprecedented tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
Trump’s False and Misleading Ukraine Claims – FactCheck.org
After U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump made several false and misleading statements about the conflict and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine had "started" the war with Russia, saying the country could have made a "deal." Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
He inflated the amount of U.S. aid for Ukraine and wrongly said the U.S. gave "$200 billion more than Europe." Aid from Europe is higher than that from the U.S.
Trump distorted comments Zelenskyy made to claim that the Ukrainian president "admits that half of the money that we sent them is missing." A Trump administration official has said the U.S. tracks the money.
Trump called Zelenskyy a "dictator" and misleadingly said that he "refuses" to have elections. Because of the war, the country is under martial law and can't have an election, according to Ukrainian law.
Fact check: Russia’s influence on Germany’s 2025 election
Russian disinformation campaigns have sought to manipulate Germany's upcoming general election. How successful have they been, and what's the German government doing about this interference?
Fake: In Ireland, Ukrainians of Drafting Age Receive Extradition Notices
Ireland's Justice Ministry stated that they have never sent such letters to Ukrainian citizens.
Manipulation: West Refuses to Provide Ukraine With Security Guarantees
A column in the Ukrainian online newspaper EuropeanPravda by lawyer Mykhaylo Soldatenko examining the wording and nature of the treaty on future security commitments that Ukraine plans to sign with its allies is being touted by Kremlin propagandists as an example of the West refusing to provide Ukraine with security guarantees. Soldatenko does not write that the G7 countries refuse to provide security guarantees, he simply points out that the word "guarantees" did not appear in the G7 leaders' declaration after the NATO summit. Ukraine is currently negotiating with the United States and Britain on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees.
FACT CHECK: No, Orthodox Relics From Kyiv Will Not Be Auctioned In France On October 1 | Check Your Fact
A post shared on Facebook purports Orthodox relics from Kyiv, Ukraine are set to be auctioned at the Osenat Auction House in France on Oct. 1.
Verdict: False
An Oct. 1 auction listed on Osenat's website focuses on "The Interiors of Versailles," not Orthodox relics from Kyiv, as the post suggests. An Osenat spokesperson denied the claim's validity in an email to Reuters.
Fake: EU to Create Ukrainian Refugee Battalions for Ukrainian Armed Forces
Deportation of men liable for military service to Ukraine has no legal basis, and Ukrainian diplomatic missions cannot do so. This narrative is another Russian disinformation.
