Ajit Karn
According to Russian media, citing the website of American journalist Seymour Hersh, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his entourage embezzled at least USD 400 million sent to the country for the procurement of diesel fuel.
On his website, Hersh claimed, citing informants, that “the Ukrainian president and many members of his entourage embezzled untold millions of dollars designated for diesel fuel payments .Analysts from the Central Intelligence Agency estimated that at least USD 400 million were stolen last year.
According to Hersh’s sources, the degree of corruption in Kiev is “approaching that of the Afghan war,” although no professional audit reports will emerge from Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan were blamed by Hersh’s sources for the ongoing crisis in the US government, which allegedly involves discord between the White House and the intelligence community.
According to Russian media, citing Hersh’s sources, the two top foreign policy officials exhibited “extreme ideology and a lack of political skill” regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Since Russia’s special military operation began on February 24, 2022, the U.S. has been assisting Ukraine.
As the battle with Russian forces for control of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut continues, the U.S. announced last month that it will send Ukraine USD 350 million in munitions and equipment.
“Today, pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing the drawdown of USD 350 million worth of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine,” said US Secretary of State Antonia Blinken in a statement released by the US State Department on Monday.
This military aid package includes additional ammunition for the HIMARS and howitzers provided by the United States that Ukraine uses for self-defense, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine vessels, and other equipment, according to a statement.
The United States commends the more than 50 nations that have banded together to support Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the statement.
This week, as Russia’s unconscionable war of aggression against Ukraine continues at a high human cost, we are once again reminded of the unbounded courage and unwavering resolve of the Ukrainian people, as well as the international community’s strong support for Ukraine.
He added: “Only Russia could terminate the conflict today. We will remain united with Ukraine for as long as it takes until Russia acts.”
In February, the United States announced a new security package plan, including the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to USD 425 million and USD 1.75 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds, according to a statement issued by the US Defence Department.
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The bundle was funded by 425 million dollars from existing Defense Department reserves and 1.75 billion dollars from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The new package represents USD 29.3 billion provided to Ukraine since Russia’s military operation began in February of last year.
