Did Bill Gates Call Ukraine ‘Big, Fat, Corrupt Sinkhole’?

The words "big, fat, corrupt sinkhole" are not a direct quote, but an interpretation of what Gates is saying in the edited clip. As his quote shows, Gates was referring to "pre-war" Ukraine, crucial context that was omitted from the clip circulating online. It is not clear what Gates' timeframe is for "pre-war"—it could refer to before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 or its initial invasion in 2014.
Title: Did Bill Gates Call Ukraine ‘Big, Fat, Corrupt Sinkhole’?
URL: https://www.newsweek.com/bill-gates-ukraine-corrupt-video-fact-check-debunk-1784383
Publisher: Newsweek
Date published: March 1, 2023
Description:

The words “big, fat, corrupt sinkhole” are not a direct quote, but an interpretation of what Gates is saying in the edited clip.

As his quote shows, Gates was referring to “pre-war” Ukraine, crucial context that was omitted from the clip circulating online.

It is not clear what Gates’ timeframe is for “pre-war”—it could refer to before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 or its initial invasion in 2014.