Zelensky denied accusations of corruption and monopolization of power and stated that elections are not possible for now

Fox News anchor Bret Baier raised the issue of corruption in Ukraine during an interview with Volodymyr Zelensky.

He asked the president to comment on reports of corruption in Ukraine, including possible embezzlement of funds provided by partners, the reasons for the absence of elections, and he cited a recent Politico article about the monopolization of power and the resulting dissatisfaction with the president—even within his own party. Baier also recalled attempts to limit the powers of anti-corruption agencies.

Zelensky responded to the question by saying: “That’s not true.” He stated that anti-corruption reforms had been passed with the votes of the Servant of the People faction, and that the European Union was aware of this.

Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko commented on Zelensky’s statement in his Telegram channel:

“Volodymyr Oleksandrovych blatantly lies on Fox News. The anchor directly asked: the world, including the U.S., is worried about corruption in Ukraine, about where the money goes. Why is there growing discontent in his party over his ‘excessively personalized style of governance’ and attempts to pressure anti-corruption bodies? And what did Zelensky answer? Without hesitation, he said it’s all untrue. He claimed it was his party that had defended the anti-corruption system for years and voted for all the reforms. But wasn’t it his ‘servants’ who just a few months ago, under direct orders, tried to destroy the independence of NABU and SAPO? Do you remember those votes? Back then, the system was saved not by them, but by citizens who took to the streets. And now Zelensky has the audacity to claim that he himself is the chief defender of anti-corruption bodies.”

It should be recalled that recently there have been frequent critical articles targeting Zelensky and Andriy Yermak. In particular, The Economist wrote about this yesterday, and Politico before that. Now similar questions are being asked on Fox News, a channel close to the Republicans.

It has already been suggested that this may be the West’s attempt to derail the President’s Office’s counteroffensive against NABU.

As for the issue of elections, Zelensky said he could allow them after a ceasefire, provided security guarantees were given.

“Even if we find a way to make some changes in order to hold elections, we need security guarantees. For example, we are ready to hold elections in the event of a ceasefire, even if it is difficult from the point of view of our Constitution,” the president said.

The anchor clarified: “So you still don’t plan elections?”

“We can hold them, but only together with our partners. This is possible only if security guarantees are in place,” Zelensky repeated.

So far, however, there is no clarity regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, nor about the timing of a ceasefire. In other words, based on the president’s words, the issue of elections is being postponed indefinitely.