Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured Ben Shapiro during a high-stakes interview that Ukraine welcomes full transparency over how U.S. financial aid is spent.
At a Glance
- Zelensky declares Ukraine is ready for full U.S. audits of military and financial aid
- $174 billion appropriated by Congress, but only $104–$105 billion reached Ukraine directly
- Aid focused primarily on military logistics, not profit for Ukrainian companies
- Zelensky thanks U.S. taxpayers and Congress for bipartisan support
- Ukraine portrays itself as a vital “living shield” protecting NATO allies
Trumpeting Transparency in Kyiv
In a groundbreaking conversation in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky directly addressed concerns over U.S. financial aid with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. As reported by The Daily Wire, Zelensky affirmed his country’s openness to audits, emphasizing, “We’re always ready for any audit. There’s nothing to hide. We are absolutely open, transparent, and that is what’s happening.”
The Ukrainian leader underscored that out of the $174 billion allocated by U.S. Congress, about $104–$105 billion had been directly delivered to Ukraine, largely for defense and operational support rather than corporate profits. The remaining funds, including approximately $22.9 billion through USAID, were geared toward stabilizing public services like salaries.
Watch highlights of their pivotal meeting on The Ben Shapiro Show’s interview with Zelensky.
Strategic Importance of U.S. Support
Zelensky was quick to acknowledge the critical role of bipartisan American backing. He said, “We are grateful to the bipartisan support in Congress. We are grateful to the unity around the fight of Ukraine for independence…and the great contribution of the United States in the defense of our people,” as highlighted by Newsweek.
Framing Ukraine as a “living shield” against Russia’s territorial ambitions, Zelensky warned that failure to support Kyiv could eventually drag American families into direct conflict through NATO obligations. “Are they going to send your child to war?” he asked rhetorically, hammering home the high stakes.
Combating Misinformation and Solidifying Alliances
The discussion also touched on the rampant spread of Russian disinformation aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine. Zelensky reiterated that American audit institutions are welcome to verify Ukrainian use of funds to counter such narratives effectively.
While the meeting was cordial, Zelensky did not shy away from criticizing previous diplomacy efforts, noting that a past Oval Office meeting “did not help Ukraine” significantly at the time.
Ultimately, the Shapiro interview offered Zelensky a major platform to assure U.S. citizens their tax dollars are not being wasted, reinforcing Ukraine’s image as both a reliable partner and a crucial barrier against further Russian aggression.
The full conversation will air on an upcoming episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, promising even deeper insight into the future of American-Ukraine cooperation.
