Category Ukraine is the Most Corrupt Country in the World

Sep 20 2023

Ukrainian Spy Chief Asks West to Empty Warehouses of Military Supplies


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Sep 20, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

The West has provided Ukraine with EVERYTHING, from weapons, training, and money to removing their opponent from the SWIFT system and irreparably harming their relationship with Russia. The blank checks to Ukraine are real, as we have come to learn as week after week, politicians travel to Kyiv to offer more and more. Major General Kyrylo Budanov of Ukraine knows that there would be no war without Western aid, and said that he knows Western nations can provide more since “warehouses in Western countries are not completely empty.”

According to Joe Biden, the US is low on ammunition but there are always supplies and fund for Ukraine.  Budanov said that Ukraine’s current arsenal could be depleted by 2023, or in three years. “We are dependent on external players,” he admitted. “Russia is mostly dependent on itself.” That is because the West is using Ukraine as cannon fodder as the war was planned many years ago. Everything had to fall into place from installing Zelensky to using the fake Minsk Agreement to buy time to build up Ukraine’s military.

Zelensky plans to travel to New York to ask the United Nations General Assembly for MORE. How are the people not concerned with this guy showing up to every major event and begging for funding from countries that are on an economic decline? Ukraine will never stop asking for money and the West will never stop providing it to them.

Hence, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is already preparing the public for a “long war.” “Most wars last longer than expected when they first begin,” Stoltenberg told Funke media. “Therefore we must prepare ourselves for a long war in Ukraine.” He spreads the lie that Russia wants to wipe Ukraine off the map when Putin has made his intentions very clear from day one. Had the signing nations abided by the Minsk Agreement, there would have been fair elections in the Russian regions of Ukraine and all of this could have been avoided. But the neocons want war with Russia. “We all want a quick peace,” lied Stoltenberg. “At the same time, we must recognize that if [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will no longer exist. If President Putin and Russia stop fighting, we will have peace.” All of the peace offerings have been declined. War is the only option now, and Ukraine will continue to milk its Western allies for everything they can give.

Sep 15 2023

Zelenskyy Taking Tin Cup to United Nations Targeting Support from Africa, Asia and Latin America


Posted originally on the CTH on September 14, 2023 | Sundance 

The changing geopolitical dynamics of the world appear to be weighing heavily on the mind of Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he watches the global influence of his western allied membership diminish.

With BRICS and non-western nations now walking through the wonderland of enhanced economic opportunity, and with Russia finding friendships outside the manipulations of the Western Alliance and NATO, and with US taxpayers getting increasingly hostile about the money we are sending to fuel the indulgent lifestyles of Ukranian politicians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scratching his puzzler and trying to figure out how best to position himself for more global money.

I will say the published effort below appears doomed from the outset, as Africa, Asia and Latin America are likely to laugh at the pale faced guy who wears a UPS uniform. Outside the boundaries of the western alliance, Zelenskyy is the Bud Light of geopolitics.

New York – Call it Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “special diplomatic operation.”

The Ukrainian president plans to show up in person at the United Nations’ annual gathering of world leaders next week. And he has a mission: Use one-on-one charm to convince an array of hesitant countries to back Kyiv against Russia.

Zelenskyy hopes to make his case both in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly and in a blizzard of meetings with fellow leaders, according to a senior Ukrainian government official familiar with the planning.

But the effort faces serious challenges. Many of the countries that have avoided taking sides hail from Africa, Asia and Latin America — often called the Global South — and they are loath to anger any world power if it could damage their own national interests. Even if they’ve rhetorically condemned the Kremlin’s invasion, many haven’t cut economic or diplomatic ties or enforced Western sanctions on Russia, allowing Moscow to keep up some cash flow.

Still, Ukrainian leaders believe they have to make their case. The Zelenskyy trip is part of a broader surge in Ukrainian diplomacy that has coincided with Kyiv’s military counteroffensive against Russia. (read more)

Sep 11 2023

US Pledges Another $1B to Ukraine


Armstrong Economics Blog/Corruption Re-Posted Sep 11, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid Zelensky another visit last week, where he pledged an additional $1 billion in funding. The US government now spends more per day on Ukraine than on the entire Maui crisis. The corrupt Pentagon, the Deep State’s favorite money launderer, insists that we must continue to supply Ukraine with weapons and funding. Where is the money going? Only those at the top know the answer.

The US government has now spent over $113 billion on Ukraine since the war began. This does not even count the money sent to the World Bank to help the war effort. I would like to think that the majority realize this is all one big scam. The Ukrainians certainly do, as they know their government is corrupt. A CNN poll from August shows that a slight majority, 55%, of Americans want Congress to stop sending money to Ukraine. This is really getting ridiculous.

The people should have a say in how money is spent. The government is funding this proxy war with the money they steal from us through taxation. They allege we have a say in who will represent us, and that person will go on to make financial decisions on our behalf. The only politicians who do not support this war are anti-establishment, as Neocons hide in plain sight on both sides. Biden said, or his handlers told him to say, he would back Ukraine for as long as it takes, meaning this scam will not stop unless a new regime is installed.

While the figure may not be accurate, the Department of Housing and Urban Development believes ending homelessness in America would cost $20 billion. Hunger Free America estimates it would cost $25 to end food insecurity in America. New estimates state it would cost $5.5 billion to rebuild Maui — a small sum in comparison. The government could do all three of those things and still spend about half of what it has on Ukraine.

Sep 7 2023

Anthony Blinken Travels to Ukraine to Announce U.S. Taxpayers Will Provide Another $1 Billion in Military Aid, Plus $520 Million for Clean Energy Initiative


Posted originally on the CTH on September 6, 2023 | Sundance 

This is beyond ludicrous now.  Secretary of State Anthony Blinken travelled to Ukraine to promote the U.S. commitment to our proxy EU country, and their perpetual money laundering operation.

In addition to announcing another $1 Billion in military and police funding, Blinken also announced that U.S. taxpayers would provide $520 million in funds for the Ukraine Green New Deal initiative to redevelop clean energy sources.   Blackrock and Vanguard are smiling large tonight, knowing that Joe Biden and Anthony Blinken are pumping profit funds directly into their subsidiary companies who will do the work.  This is madness. [Watch, Prompted]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2_tfU7GxaRY%3Fstart%3D1313%26feature%3Doembed

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Sep 4 2023

As Expected, Ukraine Removes Defense Minister After Corruption Probe – Next Up in Rotation, Another Corrupt Defense Minister


Posted originally on the CTH on September 3, 2023 | Sundance 

As we noted last week, this was very likely going to happen. Oleksiy Reznikov (pictured below left) has been removed.

A corrupt minister is caught stealing and skimming money for his/her own benefit. The corrupt minister is fired and replaced with another corrupt minister, and then the clock starts ticking until the replacement makes a mistake and gets caught doing the same thing as his predecessor.

The corrupt activity in Kyiv is identical to the corrupt activity in Washington DC, because it is created by the same corrupt process. Wash – Rinse – Repeat.

(Via Politico) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced late Sunday that he will replace the country’s defense minister, even as Kyiv’s counteroffensive appears to be gaining ground with its troops pushing into Russian-held territory. [😂]

The departure of Oleksiy Reznikov as defense chief marks the highest-level turnover in Zelenskyy’s inner circle since the start of the war in February 2022. It comes as the Ukrainian government is stepping up efforts to deal aggressively with corruption allegations involving military officials.

In a video message Sunday night, the Ukrainian leader announced that Reznikov would be replaced as defense minister by Rustem Umerov, the head of the country’s State Property Fund.

“Reznikov has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale war,” Zelenskyy said. “I believe the ministry now needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole.”

There have been rumblings for weeks that Rezniko’s days were numbered. His reputation took several hits earlier this year over a handful of wartime scandals in the Defense Ministry in which officials were accused of profiteering. While Reznikov was never implicated, the revelations were a black eye not only for his ministry, but for him personally.

Zelenskyy called on the country’s parliament to approve the decision as soon as possible. (read more)

Sep 3 2023

Ukraine Defense Minister Likely to Be Removed, Following Corruption Probe


Posted originally on the CTH on September 2, 2023 | Sundance 

If you have watched World War Reddit, and understand the basic premise of Ukraine as a U.S. money laundering operation, then you likely understand why and how the recipient side of the $100 billion U.S. aid package is filled with graft and corruption.

Each Ukraine official who is caught using the money for their personal enrichment, is replaced by another person who engages in the same activity.  Successful anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine are futile, because everything attached to the U.S. created Ukraine government is corrupt.

A corrupt minister is caught stealing and skimming money for his/her own benefit. The corrupt minister is fired and replaced with another corrupt minister, and then the clock starts ticking until the replacement makes a mistake and gets caught doing the same thing as his predecessor.

The corrupt activity in Kyiv is identical to the corrupt activity in Washington DC, because it is created by the same corrupt process.   Wash – Rinse – Repeat.

In the latest exhibition…

[Via Zero Hedge} – […] Defense chief Oleksiy Reznikov has overseen a series of embarrassing military corruption scandals at a time Kiev is trying to tout its democratic and corruption reform credentials. He could be dismissed from the top post as early as next week and given a new role as ambassador to the United Kingdom.

But the decision is “not finalized” according to sources speaking to Kyiv Post, which names Rustem Umerov – currently head of the State Property Fund – as a likely candidate to replace Reznikov.

DM Reznikov has overseen Ukraine’s military and defense strategy since the start of the Feb. 2022 invasion, but the much-hyped counteroffensive launched at the start of the summer has been widely seen as a failure, despite tens of billions of dollars of Western aid and weaponry.

Reznikov is now front and center in an anti-graft probe, Bloomberg writes, citing local Ukrainian media:

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s anti-graft crackdown is fueling speculation that he may dismiss Ukraine’s defense minister following accusations of corruption linked to procuring military supplies.

The Ukrayinska Pravda newspaper, citing sources it didn’t name, said on Thursday Minister Oleksii Reznikov may be replaced as early as next week. The report followed accusations from anti-corruption activists and media that under his leadership the ministry has purchased food and uniforms at inflated prices. It also coincides with comments from a lawmaker that Reznikov may be shifted to the post of Kyiv’s ambassador to the UK.

Additionally, parliament’s People’s Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak, wrote in a Thursday Telegram post that “…Rustem Umerov will be nominated for the position of Minister of Defense.” 

Kyiv Post has detailed the latest scandal as follows:

The latest scandal was exposed by Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Nikolov who, citing sources at the State Customs Service of Ukraine, reported that the Ministry of Defense had acquired 233,000 winter jackets for $20 million from a Turkish firm.

Documentation from customs regarding one shipment unveiled a startling increase in cost for a batch of 4,900 jackets en route from Turkey to Ukraine.

The price had tripled, soaring from $142,000 to $421,000 (a per-unit rise from $29 to $86). Furthermore, it was revealed that the jackets, despite being marketed as winter wear, turned out to be lightweight. (link)

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Aug 29 2023

Russian Lives Matter


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Aug 29, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

The most influential aspect of Black Lives Matter is its name choice. Of course, black lives matter, but the messaging behind the movement itself was pure corruption and controlled civil unrest by the left. It was seen as racist to say that ALL lives matter because the focus was only on Black Americans. Then the police tried to use the term Blue Lives Matter, fueling the animosity.  The phrase has caught on, and a Danish director has come under fire for saying “Russian lives matter.”

Lars von Trier risks cancellation after commenting on a social media post featuring Denmark’s latest donation to Ukraine of extremely lethal F-16 fighter jets. “Russian lives matter also!” he stated on the Instagram post. He said his post was for Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Putin, and not least Mrs. Frederiksen (who yesterday, like someone head over heels in love, posed in the cockpit of one of the scariest killing machines of our time, grinning from ear to ear). “Russian lives matter also! Best regards, Lars.”

Ukrainian media outlets turned the post into a story of hatred. Oleksiy Danilov, the head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, even weighed in on the situation: “The choice between the executioner and the victim becomes a tragedy when the artist chooses the side of the executioner. Ukraine doesn’t live in abstraction, but in a cruel reality in which Russians are murderers. A simple piece of advice for a famous director: imagine that it is a Russian missile that is flying into his city every day, that his father or mother was killed, his grandson was taken to Russia, and that a Russian looter raped his wife before burning down his house. In this case, the abstraction of hypocritical ‘humanism’ takes on completely different features – real, not fictional life.”

This is how wars are waged as the enemy must be dehumanized. As Danilov said, the reality Ukraine wants to portray is a “cruel reality in which Russians are murderers.” So every single person, old and young, in a large country is a ruthless murderer? This is akin to how the terrorist groups in Afghanistan painted all Americans as bloodthirsty killers. It is the same story repeated throughout history – villainize the enemy and cheer his last breath. Human nature is the same wherever you go. Fact: the majority of Russians simply want peace and are not Prigozhin clones plotting on Ukraine’s downfall.

“I was just stating the obvious: that all lives in this world matter! A forgotten phrase it seems, from a time when pacifism was a virtue,” the filmmaker replied, later mentioning he had no idea the trouble his comments would cause. But sure, cheer the image of the F-16 jet designed for mass murder of fellow human beings.

Aug 25 2023

Ukraine to Bribe Whistleblowers


Armstrong Economics Blog/Corruption Re-Posted Aug 24, 2023 by Martin Armstron

The corruption is so widespread in Ukraine that the government is offering whistleblowers payment for reporting any fraud. The National Agency of Corruption Prevention has created a digital portal for Ukrainians to report any suspected corruption to receive a reward. Tell-tales may receive 10% of the bounty up to 14 million hryvnias ($380,000).

A recent poll found that nearly 80% of Ukrainians admitted Zelensky is responsible for ongoing corruption. The same survey found that 89% of the population believes corruption is the #2 problem facing the nation, with Russia being #1. A second poll by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation found that 77.6% of Ukrainians believe Zelensky is “directly responsible” for ongoing corruption. Nobody in Ukraine thinks Zelensky is a good guy despite the Western media praising him as a fearless, noble leader. This is why they skipped over the most recent election because the people do not want Zelensky, who was installed by the West, to remain in power.

Zelensky laid off his recruitment officials after finding out they were accepting $10,000 bribes. His administration tracked down men who paid a fee to avoid the draft. “This system should be run by people who know exactly what war is and why cynicism and bribery during war is high treason,” Zelensky ironically stated.

This new program will cause internal strife as neighbors begin to fear one another. Everyone recalls the tactics of the old Soviet Union where citizens were made to believe that their loyalty should reside in the government over their neighbors, friends, and family. We see the same thing in North Korea today and in many other nations. Even the US has a kickback for those who report corruption. I suppose this is the system Joe Biden used when he received his 10% for the Big Guy through Hunter’s dealings. This will not prevent corruption, but rather it will encourage the people to accuse their neighbors of being criminals for a government bribe. Is someone reporting Zelensky through this portal for funneling billions into Ukraine for a war that was planned out nearly 10 years ago?

Aug 22 2023

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Is Officially a Failure—It’s Time to Reevaluate. Trump Indictments Boost Already-Significant Primary Lead. Covering the Republican Debate LIVE From Milwaukee | SYSTEM UPDATE #134


Glen Greenwald posted originally on Rumble on:Aug 21, 7:00 pm EDT

Aug 21 2023

How Ukrainian Oligarchs Spend Humanitarian Aid


Armstrong Economics Blog/Corruption Re-Posted Aug 21, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Are you not curious about where the endless blank checks to Ukraine are going? They are usually labeled as something vague like humanitarian aid or weapons. One Ukrainian top military official seems to have stumbled into wealth amid a full-scale war. Odesa Military Commissariat, Yevhen Borisov, has spent millions of dollars on funding a newfound luxurious lifestyle.

Borisov purchased a €3 million villa in Spain, as well as office space in the chic and expensive city of Marbella. The military commander also purchased multiple luxury vehicles during this time. He now owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz B-class electric car with a retail price that begins at $100,000. He bought 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV as well, and Pravada estimates that all his new cars retail for at least half a million USD.

The Kyiv Post reported that Borisov denies making any luxury purchases. Instead, he claims his wife, mother, and mother-in-law all made purchases, some under his name, and he “doesn’t know whether his relatives bought real estate on the Spanish coast.” I think most wives or mothers would mention to their provider spouse or son if they purchased a multi-million dollar villa in a foreign country. He claims his mother-in-law purchased a Land Cruiser for herself, amid the war, that other nations are funding.

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has been investigating Yevhen Borisov and his family ONLY because they were caught. Spain offers Ukrainians a “golden visa” if they invest more than €500,000 euros in the country, and this often become a fast-track method to obtaining permanent residency. Spain is also offering Ukrainians €400 per month as war refugees. Regardless, Borisov is NOT the only Ukrainian oligarch profiting from the war. His newfound wealth happened precisely when countless Western nations began to provide unlimited aid to Ukraine without asking for a receipt.