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End of Ukraine conflict

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He Thrives on This War: Former Press Secretary Says Zelensky Obstacle to Peace

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Antony Blinken

Jens Stoltenberg

Sergei Ryabkov

Kurt Volker

Alexander Stubb

Michael McCaul

NATO

Mircea Geoan

Michael R. Carpenter

Mark Rutte

Andriy Yermak

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Ukraine joining NATO "will never happen."

NATO hasn't "reached the point where it is prepared to offer membership or an invitation to Ukraine."

“As long as I am head of the Slovak government, I will direct the MPs that are under my control... never to agree to Ukraine's joining NATO.”

"We cannot admit Ukraine into NATO immediately."

Ukraine is "fully prepared and able to be a member of NATO."

We will take "concrete steps to bring Ukraine closer to NATO."

"Ukraine's path and bridge towards NATO membership is now irreversible."

"Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before, and will continue on this path until [it] become[s] a member of our alliance."

"Ukraine will join NATO. It is not a question of if, but of when."

Will Ukraine Join NATO?

Donald Trump

Vladimir Putin

Dmitry Peskov

Marco Rubio

Lindsey Graham

J.D. Vance

Petro Poroshenko

Vitali Klitschko

Kyiv International Institute of Sociology

Ihor Reiterovych

Ben Rhodes

"Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier."

"It is impossible. Russia has never discussed and will not discuss the topic of exchanging its territory."

"Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian, and Russia is not going to Kyiv, so there will be some land swaps at the end."

"Ukraine is going to have to cede some territory to the Russians."

"There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both [Ukraine and Russia]."

Will Zelenskyy Swap Territory/Cede Land to End the War?

Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy between 2019 and 2021, appeared on the Tucker Carlson Show on Monday. In the interview, she made a series of claims that included the Ukrainian leader's alleged corruption and drug abuse.

Tucker Carlson

Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy between 2019 and 2021, appeared on the Tucker Carlson Show on Monday. In the interview, she made a series of claims that included the Ukrainian leader's alleged corruption and drug abuse.

Mendel told Carlson she was not seeking to justify Russia's invasion — describing it as "crimes against humanity" — but was speaking out because of the deteriorating conditions of her country and because she saw Zelenskyy as the biggest obstacle to the war coming to a close.

Mendel told Carlson she was not seeking to justify Russia's invasion — describing it as "crimes against humanity" — but was speaking out because of the deteriorating conditions of her country and because she saw Zelenskyy as the biggest obstacle to the war coming to a close.

On corruption, Mendel alleged that Zelenskyy and his associates were skimming money from government programs and recounted an instance where a friend who was interviewing for a cabinet position with Zelenskyy and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/ukraine-top-zelenskyy-aide-resigns-after-raid-by-anticorruption-investigators">Andriy Yermak, his former chief of staff who resigned in connection with corruption allegations</a>, was asked how they would go about skimming money from pension pots.

On corruption, Mendel alleged that Zelenskyy and his associates were skimming money from government programs and recounted an instance where a friend who was interviewing for a cabinet position with Zelenskyy and Andriy Yermak, his former chief of staff who resigned in connection with corruption allegations, was asked how they would go about skimming money from pension pots.

Late last month, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/ukrainian-media-publishes-tapes-of-zelenskyy-associates-in-corruption-sting">Ukrainian media published tapes of secret recordings</a> by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) from its "Midas" investigation into Zelenskyy associates and an alleged $100 million corruption scheme involving the state-backed energy company Energoatom. Yermak was charged with money laundering in connection with the probe on Monday.

Late last month, Ukrainian media published tapes of secret recordings by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) from its "Midas" investigation into Zelenskyy associates and an alleged $100 million corruption scheme involving the state-backed energy company Energoatom. Yermak was charged with money laundering in connection with the probe on Monday.

On drug abuse, Mendel said she did not personally witness Zelenskyy take cocaine but said it was "an open secret." She recounted occasions when Zelenskyy would leave briefings to visit the bathroom for 15 minutes and allegedly returned sniffing and highly energized.

On drug abuse, Mendel said she did not personally witness Zelenskyy take cocaine but said it was "an open secret." She recounted occasions when Zelenskyy would leave briefings to visit the bathroom for 15 minutes and allegedly returned sniffing and highly energized.

A further allegation was that during 2022 peace talks with Russia that were aborted following Western pressure, Zelenskyy had agreed to cede the Donbas region — a position he has ruled out in recent months. A spokesperson for Zelenskyy's office did not comment on corruption and drug allegations but denied Mendel's comments on the Donbas, stating she was in government at the time of the talks and alleging that her sources provided her with false information.

A further allegation was that during 2022 peace talks with Russia that were aborted following Western pressure, Zelenskyy had agreed to cede the Donbas region — a position he has ruled out in recent months. A spokesperson for Zelenskyy's office did not comment on corruption and drug allegations but denied Mendel's comments on the Donbas, stating she was in government at the time of the talks and alleging that her sources provided her with false information.

It is telling that of all the people Mendel chose to talk to in order to share her false and misleading narratives, she picked a notorious Russian propagandist. She has a history of making sensationalist claims before these latest ones.

It is telling that of all the people Mendel chose to talk to in order to share her false and misleading narratives, she picked a notorious Russian propagandist. She has a history of making sensationalist claims before these latest ones.

Zelenskyy is a dictator that continues to enjoy widespread Western support despite plausible allegations of drug abuse and corruption. It is shameful that the mainstream media seem to have no interest in exposing these multiple scandals.

Zelenskyy is a dictator that continues to enjoy widespread Western support despite plausible allegations of drug abuse and corruption. It is shameful that the mainstream media seem to have no interest in exposing these multiple scandals.

There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral ceasefire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by September 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral ceasefire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by September 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Zelenskyy's Former Press Secretary Alleges Corruption and Drug Abuse on Tucker Carlson Show

Yulii Zozulia/Ukrinform/Future Publishing/Getty Images

Zelenskyy's Former Press Secretary Alleges Corruption and Drug Abuse on Tucker Carlson Show

Zelenskyy's Former Press Secretary Alleges Corruption and Drug Abuse on Tucker Carlson Show

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Zelenskyy's Former Press Secretary Alleges Corruption and Drug Abuse on Tucker Carlson Show

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