Head of Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov © Elena Afonina/TASS
Euronews: Ukraine war: Kyiv aid 'money laundering scheme', Christmas truce fails, Ukrainians honour war dead
Western aid to Ukraine is a "scheme for laundering money", the leader of Russia's Chechen Republic said on Sunday.
"I see that some are worried about the foreign aid to Ukraine. Do not worry! This is a working money laundering scheme.
Western and Ukrainian officials will embezzle these funds, and no more than 15% of the entire aid will reach the trenches," Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on Telegram. There is no evidence for this claim from the staunch Putin ally.
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Update #1: Ramzan Kadyrov insists only 15 per cent of military aid reaches Ukraine while rest is plundered (Euroweekly)
Update #2: Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says (TASS)
WNU Editor: I have lost count on how much military/economic/financial/and humanitarian aid has been given to Ukraine in the past 11 months. What I do know is that before the war Ukraine had the biggest military in Europe by numbers after Turkey and Russia. Ukraine also had a huge foreign debt.
But since February 24 not only has Ukraine's weaponry and ammo stockpiles positioned before the war gone, but much that has been given in the past 10 months are now in short supply and/or no longer on the battlefield.
And as for the financial assistance the West has been giving to Ukraine in the past year, no one has properly given an accounting on who is getting what. There is certainly no political will in the West to find out where all the money has gone.
So is Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov correct?
I do not think so. The ammo, equipment, and weapons are in short supply because they have been used and/or destroyed. And as for the West's financial assistance. I am sure there is skimming from the top, but I do know that for many Ukrainians they are having their bills and pensions/salaries paid.
My guess is that it is only when the war is over that a true account of where did the money go will be done. At least I hope there will be an accounting.