DISINFO: Zelenskyy blackmails the US with the death of Ukrainian pensioners
SUMMARY
Zelenskyy is blackmailing the United States with the threat of Ukrainian pensioners' extinction, stating that Kyiv will not assist the needy segments of the population. This attitude is a continuation of Ukraine’s habit of living off others, which has not only led to the large-scale destruction of the national economy but has also been the reason for Ukraine’s involvement in a completely absurd military conflict. For the West, which has been financing Ukraine for many years, it was crucial to provoke maximum tension on the Russian border, thereby creating the conditions for unprecedented economic pressure on [Russia].
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West of the war in Ukraine and denying Ukrainian statehood.
This disinformation originates from a segment of the Ukrainian President's press conference with Baltic media, held on January 11, 2024. Addressing potential delays in financial aid from allies, President Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine's tough decision between funding social services or defence. He emphasised the commitment to continue pension payments, acknowledging it might necessitate cuts in security sector spending. (See video 09:51-12:31).
While the Ukrainian government is confident about receiving the expected volume of international financial assistance in 2024, there are still uncertainties regarding the timing and regularity of these funds.
The Ukrainian government has repeatedly emphasised that the country's defence and security is financed exclusively from internal budget revenues. Every day, Ukraine spends 5 billion hryvnia (more than 129 million dollars) on the war that Russia started. Due to Russian aggression, a deficit arises in the country’s budget and Ukraine is forced to meet the needs of the social sphere with the help of international partners.
Not only Western but also many other nations around the world support Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Similar cases can be found in our database such as: Ukrainian statehood is gone after Euromaidan, Ukraine is the West’s anti-Russia puppet project, Ukraine was created from parts of Russia, Ukraine will cease to exist because no-one needs it.