Interventionist politicians like Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden constantly positioned U.S. support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "fight for democracy" against autocratic Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But do our supposed allies in Kyiv deserve such flattery?
Recent actions suggest that Zelensky and his effective co-president, Andriy Yermak, act in very authoritarian ways themselves—and increasingly reveal to the world that they are not transparent, reliable partners for the United States.
Corruption remains entrenched in Ukrainian politics and governance, starting at the very highest levels of the administration in Kyiv. Just this week, the office charged with fighting and prosecuting corruption was raided in an extra-judicial attack on decency and due process. This raid reeks—and it smells like gangsterism, not democracy.
Given these tactics, it is no wonder that Americans increasingly realize that sending $175 billion of borrowed money to corrupt leaders in Ukraine is just not sound policy. In fact, sending mountains of borrowed funds to kleptocrats actually harms America's national security, all while making our country poorer.
Perhaps for these reasons, Americans now display a new preference for disengagement from the Ukraine-Russia war. A 62 percent majority of Americans now say that America should disengage from the war if the two parties cannot find a peaceful resolution, now that President Donald Trump has made good on his promise to demand direct talks between the governments of Zelensky and Putin. Even among Democrats, 45 percent support such disengagement. Among young Americans aged 25-44, a stunning 69 percent favor disengagement.
Those numbers have risen dramatically for two primary reasons. First, the war has reached a seeming stalemate, compelling a negotiated solution rather than massive new American spending. Second, U.S. citizens are becoming more aware of the disreputable actions of the officials receiving the aid.
Regarding that deserved disrepute, the specifics of this new raid are startling. The offices of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) were invaded and searched by security services loyal to Yermak and Zelensky. Notably, the NABU raids did not bother to get a court warrant for these harsh, guns-drawn incursions into the NABU offices.
That fact alone should shock anyone who cares about transparency and the structured rule of law. The flimsy pretense for the raid was that some NABU officers had been involved in traffic accidents and violations. Naturally, many skeptics wonder if the actual goal was to intimidate NABU officials who investigate very senior government officials.
For instance, the NABU recommended that Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov be removed from his key government position and required to post a large bail payment during the investigation of his alleged personal and official corruption. But, Chief of Staff Yermak refused to fire this embattled official, who continues to operate under a shadow of suspicion.
In a statement from the NABU to the Ukrainian media, the anti-corruption investigators pointed out that the state security service raids "may gain access to information about NABU and [the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office] ongoing and planned operational measures and investigative actions. Disclosure of this information could compromise investigative operations and ongoing cases."
Even the normally very pro-Zelensky G-7 issued a harsh statement regarding the NABU raids: "We met today with NABU, have serious concerns, and intend to discuss these developments with government leaders.... We all have a shared commitment to support transparency, independent institutions, and good governance."
For Americans, ever since Zelensky came to our capital in a t-shirt and condescendingly lectured President Trump in the Oval Office, the true nature of Kyiv's leaders has become clear. Now, more Americans can move past the PR lies that tried to lionize him, and see the harsh reality of Ukrainian corruption.
Even if these Ukrainian leaders were angels, Americans should still demand an end to the war via sensible negotiations. The American people have been unbelievably generous, but our patience is wearing thin and our budgetary accounts run red with deficits. In this case, given the latest tactics and optics of the Zelensky/Yermak regime, it becomes ever clearer that these counterparts cannot be trusted.
Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group, and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote. He is a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance, plus a former commentator for Fox News and CNN.
This article was published by Newsweek
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. Trump Slashes 50-Day Ultimatum For Putin On Ukraine – TIPP Insights
President Donald Trump said he is shortening the 50-day deadline he gave Russia to end its war in Ukraine, citing disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump stated, adding, “I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number.” He did not specify a new timeline.
2. NATO Fighter Jets Scrambled As Russia Attacks Ukraine - UPI
NATO aircraft were scrambled Sunday night to respond to a Russian attack on Ukraine, the Polish military said Monday.
"Polish and allied quick reaction aircraft were scrambled, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness," Poland's Operational Command of the Armed Forces said in a statement.
3. Pro-Ukraine Hacker Group Claims Aeroflot Cyber-Attack - BBC
Russia's national airline, Aeroflot, said it had cancelled dozens of flights after pro-Ukrainian hackers claimed an attack on the carrier's IT systems.
A statement from hacking group Silent Crow said it carried out the attack with the help of a Belarusian group Cyberpartisans. Silent Crow said on Telegram that its "prolonged and large-scale operation... completely destroyed" Aeroflot's IT systems.
Aeroflot said it had cancelled more than 40 flights - mostly within Russia but also including routes to Belarus and Armenia - which the Kremlin said was "worrying". The airline said an issue with its information system had also led to widespread delays.
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Israel temporarily halts military operations in parts of Gaza to facilitate the delivery of international aid, as global horror intensifies over starvation in the territory.
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Government ministers from more than 100 countries on Monday gathered at the United Nations to consider a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The two-day conference, which is called the "Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution," was delayed from June because of the war between Israel and Iran.
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Speaking at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Donald Trump said the U.S. has provided $60 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza and urged other nations to increase their support.
Trump said he spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who assured him that European nations would “very substantially” step up assistance. He added that he planned to discuss the humanitarian crisis with Starmer during the visit.
7. US Reportedly Burned Through Quarter Of Critical Missile Interceptors In Israel Defense – DCNF
The U.S. reportedly burned through nearly a quarter of its supply of a critical missile defense system while defending Israel from Iranian strikes in June, two sources told CNN on Monday.
“The U.S. military is the strongest it has even been and has everything it needs to conduct any mission anywhere, anytime, all around the world,” Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “If you need further proof, look no further than Operation Midnight Hammer and the total obliteration of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”
8. U.S. Reaches Broad Tariff Deal With Europe – TIPP Insights
The United States and European Union have agreed on a trade deal, ending a months-long standoff between two of the world’s biggest economic partners.
Related TIPP Insights Editorial: Trump’s Tariff Therapy Triumphs
9. President Of Peace: Trump Declares Ceasefire Between Cambodia and Thailand – TIPP Insights
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that his involvement led to a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, declaring, “After the involvement of President Donald J. Trump, both countries have reached a ceasefire and peace.”
Trump said he spoke with the acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia and credited the outcome with saving “thousands of lives.” He added that his trade team would restart negotiations with both countries.
10. Trump Urges EU Leaders To Stop Building Windmills – The Washington Times
President Trump told European leaders in Scotland that electric grid wind turbines are “very destructive” and will no longer be built in the United States.
He urged European leaders to “stop the windmills,” because they are ruining their countries.
Mr. Trump made the remarks ahead of a key meeting on tariffs with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
11. Kim Jong-Un’s Sister Rejects Outreach By South Korea’s New President – The Washington Times
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rebuffed overtures by South Korea’s new liberal government, saying Monday that its “blind trust” in the country’s alliance with the U.S. and hostility toward North Korea make it no different from its conservative predecessor.
Kim Yo Jong’s comments imply that North Korea - now preoccupied with its expanding cooperation with Russia - sees no need to resume diplomacy with South Korea and the U.S. anytime soon. Experts say she likely hopes to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington.
“We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither a reason to meet nor an issue to be discussed,” Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by state media.
12. U.S., Qatar To Finalize Plan To 'Donate' A $400M Boeing 747 To DOD - UPI
The United States government and Qatar will finalize a deal next week for Qatar to give the U.S. Air Force a jet to become Air Force One.
Qatar will send the Boeing 747-8 aircraft as an unconditional "donation" to the Department of Defense, which will then be responsible for its maintenance, the Washington Post reported.
The jet itself is valued at $400 million and will go to President Donald Trump's presidential library after his term is over.
13. Musk Bags $16.5B Chip Deal With Samsung - TIPP Insights
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed a $16.5 billion chip supply deal with Samsung Electronics, marking a major boost for the South Korean tech giant’s struggling contract manufacturing business.
Samsung will produce Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chips at its new facility in Taylor, Texas. “Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency,” Musk posted on X, adding, “I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress.”
14. The Caribbean Islands That Give You A Passport If You Buy A Home - BBC
Buying a home also grants the holder visa-free access to up to 150 countries, including the UK and Europe's Schengen area.
Five of the region's island nations – Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia – offer such citizenship by investment (CBI) from as little as $200,000 (£145,000).
These days, passport sales account for 10-30% of the islands' GDP.
15. Bitcoin Average Buy Price Falls Below $119400 As ETF Inflows Top $150B Eyes $120K Threshold - Ainvest
Bitcoin's average buy price fell below $119,400, nearing the $120,000 psychological resistance level amid mixed buyer confidence and bearish pressure.
Bitcoin ETFs now hold 1.29M BTC after $150B in inflows since January 2024, reflecting growing institutional confidence despite lingering market uncertainty.
A $120,000 breakout could trigger bullish momentum, while failure to hold above $119,400 risks a pullback toward $115,000, as investors await decisive price action.
16. To Sleep Better, You May Want To Exercise Every Day – Futurity
New research suggests that exercising more frequently—ideally every day—could improve sleep quality, particularly the kind of deep, restorative sleep that supports better mood and mental health.
The study in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health analyzed data from University of Texas at Austin students who wore Fitbits for several months. Unlike earlier research that focused on total exercise time, this study examined the frequency of exercise.
“We wanted to know whether it matters if someone spreads out their exercise over the week versus doing it all at once, like a ‘weekend warrior,'” says Benjamin Baird, a research assistant professor of psychology in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. “And for sleep health, frequency does seem to matter.”
