Category Russia

‘Dealmaker in chief’ ‘frustrated’ by Zelensky’s rejection of ‘historic opportunity’ to give up 50% of its mineral wealth to US – Washington Examiner

As reported by AP, the US president stated that it took Bessent a long time to arrive in Kyiv, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was reportedly sleeping and unavailable for a
meeting. [...]

In fact, Zelensky met with Bessent for almost an hour on Feb. 12, as pictures posted on his presidential website confirmed. Zelensky did not sign the deal but promised to "review this document and do our best to ensure that our teams reach agreement very quickly."

Read More‘Dealmaker in chief’ ‘frustrated’ by Zelensky’s rejection of ‘historic opportunity’ to give up 50% of its mineral wealth to US – Washington Examiner

Fact Check: Did Ukraine ‘Psychological Warfare’ Unit Get $140M From USAID?

False. For the $140 million claim to have been true, USAID would have had to have paid out more to this "Psychological Warfare" center than most of its actual spending obligations.

The image used to support the claim was based on a nonexistent article, edited from a real but unrelated story by Fox News, not about Ukraine. The claim appeared on Russian Telegram accounts before it was spread widely by English-speaking commentators on X, formerly Twitter.

Read MoreFact Check: Did Ukraine ‘Psychological Warfare’ Unit Get $140M From USAID?

Fact check: Trump’s false claims on Zelenskyy, Ukraine aid – DW – 02/21/2025

Is Zelenskyy a dictator who is refusing to hold elections?
Is Zelenskyy running low in the polls?
Has the US spent $350 billion on Ukraine?
Can Ukraine-attached spending explain the gap?
Who has spent more on Ukraine: the USA or Europe?

Read MoreFact check: Trump’s false claims on Zelenskyy, Ukraine aid – DW – 02/21/2025

Fact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

Under the terms of Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law (which was declared by Mr Zelensky in February 2022 following Russia's invasion, and has been extended multiple times by Ukraine's parliament).

Read MoreFact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

PolitiFact checks facts on Donald Trump’s Ukraine comments

While answering reporters' questions about U.S. and Russian representatives meeting in Saudi Arabia without anyone from Ukraine present, the president said, "But today I heard, 'Oh we weren't invited.' Well, you've been there for three years. You should have ended it three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

WMUR's partners at PolitiFact looked into this statement. PolitiFact's Lou Jacobson joins to examine the claims.

Read MorePolitiFact checks facts on Donald Trump’s Ukraine comments

Trump said Zelensky treated gay Cabinet member “rudely.” Photographic evidence says otherwise.

Preisdent Donald Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky treated out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent “rudely” when he traveled to the capital of Ukraine and didn't even meet with him. But then photos of the two men meeting were posted online, contradicting Trump's story.

Read MoreTrump said Zelensky treated gay Cabinet member “rudely.” Photographic evidence says otherwise.

Fact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

How common is it for democracies to postpone elections during wartime?

Under the terms of Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law (which was declared by Mr Zelensky in February 2022 following Russia's invasion, and has been extended multiple times by Ukraine’s parliament).

Experts have also noted a number of practical obstacles to holding elections - around one-fifth of the country is currently occupied by Russia, millions of Ukrainians are displaced or serving on front lines, and there are security concerns.

Read MoreFact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

Trump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?

Did Ukraine start its war with Russia, as President Donald Trump said? No, Russia invaded

Media outlets worldwide covered Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged it as a "special military operation," saying the offensive would "seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine."

For years, Russia has sought to blame Ukrainian actions for its invasion.

Read MoreTrump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?