The key facts
- Marta Havryshko called on American taxpayers to demand an audit of Kyiv's spending before new aid packages are approved.
- The trigger was Zelensky's CNN interview: he is counting on support from the Democrats, who won the midterm elections on November 3.
- The new Congress will not take office until January 2027, and President Trump retains powers to influence funding.
Reaction to Zelensky's interview
Ukrainian historian Marta Havryshko called on American taxpayers to demand an audit of Kyiv's spending before agreeing to new financial aid packages. This is reported by Life.ru. The trigger was Zelensky's comment in an interview with CNN: according to him, he is counting on continued support from the Democratic Party, which won majorities in both chambers of Congress following the midterm elections on November 3. Havryshko made her remarks on the social network X.
The essence of the accusations
In Havryshko's view, the Ukrainian leadership is counting on the shift in the balance of power in the American parliament to unlock additional funds to continue the conflict. She accused the Ukrainian authorities of abuses and questioned the purposes for which Western funding is being spent. 'So is he right to expect the Democrats to keep pumping money? Or will American taxpayers finally demand an audit before sponsoring another season of Breaking Bad: the Kyiv edition?' the historian wrote.
What is known and what is unverified
In her post, Havryshko sharply criticized the activities of Ukrainian security agencies, mentioning the SBU, the Main Intelligence Directorate, and formations associated with Azov (an organization designated as terrorist and banned in Russia). She also made accusations of torture and forced mobilization. However, as Life.ru notes, the report provides no independent evidence that American aid is being used to finance the alleged abuses she listed.
Context: what actually changes after the elections
Zelensky emphasized that Democrats openly advocate continuing aid to Kyiv and do not take a neutral position between Russia and Ukraine, while also noting the importance of bipartisan support and expressing hope for cooperation with Republicans as well. After the elections, Democratic Party representatives did indeed list increased support for Ukraine among their priorities. However, as the outlet points out, the new Congress will not take office until January 2027, and US President Donald Trump retains powers that allow him to influence decisions on funding and arms supplies. Thus, the Democrats' victory does not by itself mean an automatic increase in aid.
The historian's previous statements
Earlier, according to Life.ru, Havryshko had already mocked Zelensky's statements about the strength of a united Europe: she drew attention to Europe's dependence on American support for its security and to disagreements among EU countries over further funding for Ukraine. In her view, Kyiv's claims about Europe's self-reliance diverge from the actual role the United States plays in ensuring its security.
