Fact Check Roundup: Trump’s Zelensky claims and more

Did Zelensky lose half the money sent to him by the US?

Institute for the Study of War:

The majority of the funds the United States has allocated for Ukraine stays in the United States to fund domestic defense industrial base and replenish US stockpiles.

US government agencies closely oversee the remaining US aid, which is directly issued to Ukraine. The US Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Inspector General reported on January 11, 2024, that it had found no evidence of misappropriated aid.

The U.S. has given Ukraine “$350 billion” for the war with Russia

“According to a U.S interagency oversight group that tracks aid to Ukraine, the U.S. Congress has appropriated around $183 billion in assistance to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, 2022 — a little more than half of Trump’s claim of $350 billion.” –AP News

US gave “$200 billion more than Europe.” / Does the US give Ukraine more support than Europe?

“Europe gives about the same amount of military aid to Ukraine as the USA, and provides significantly more humanitarian aid.” –SBS News (Australia)

“Europe is also hosting over 6 million refugees who fled the invasion – giving shelter to over 70% of refugees, while the US has received less than 5% of them.” –DW

Could Russia have destroyed Ukraine already “if they had wanted to”?

Did Russia lose 1.5 million troops?

Newsweek:

There are no estimates that 1.5 million Russian soldiers have been killed and wounded since Russia invaded Ukraine. Recent analyses suggest manpower losses [both killed and wounded] of around 780,000 as of early January 2025. Ukrainian government estimates from February 2025 claim 850,000 Russian troop losses [both killed and wounded]. While the Ukrainian government is thought to have overcounted Russian losses and undercounted its own, some of its recent assessments have been similar to those by government and expert analyses outside of Kyiv.

An independent analyst told Newsweek that Trump’s estimate of Russian losses had “no basis in reality.”

Have millions died in Russia’s invasion?

“No estimates by any reputable analysis place deaths near the millions.” –AP News

Did Ukraine start the war?

Is Zelensky a “dictator”?

Is Zelensky refusing to hold elections?

Institute for the Study of War:

Ukrainian law prohibits holding elections in wartime (unlike the US Constitution, which requires it).
Ukraine’s Constitution prevents the Ukrainian government from holding elections or amending the constitution in times of martial law.
Russia triggered Ukraine’s martial law provisions when it launched its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government cannot constitutionally suspend martial law while Russia continues to attack Ukraine.
Ukrainian opposition politicians, including those who have historically run against Zelensky, have stated that holding elections under martial law would be both illegal and immoral.

Does Zelensky Have a 4% Approval Rating?

Did Zelensky refuse to meet with the US Secretary of the Treasury because he was “sleeping”?

In fact, Zelensky met with Bessent for almost an hour on Feb. 12, as pictures posted on his presidential website confirmed. – Washington Examiner

Did Zelensky block access to Trump’s Truth Social social media platform in Ukraine?

No. Truth Social is only available in a handful of countries that does not include Ukraine. Truth Social blocked itself in Ukraine (and in most of the world), not the other way around. Snopes

Did Ukraine “Psychological Warfare” unit get $140M off USAID?

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Fact Check Roundup: Trump’s Zelensky claims and more