Steve Cortes, Founder of the League of American Workers, has expressed concerns regarding alleged corruption involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Cortes said that the issue is significant enough that even media outlets supportive of Zelensky are acknowledging it. He warned that Americans might be misled about Ukraine. The statement was made on X.
“Even pro-war Politico cannot ignore the gravity of this Zelensky scandal,” said Cortes. “Toilets made of Gold? Mob scammers with nicknames like “SugarMan”? WE ARE BEING PLAYED!!!”
A major corruption scandal involving associates of President Zelensky has intensified scrutiny of his leadership as Ukraine faces pressure over emerging U.S. peace proposals and declining public confidence. According to Politico and summarized by Euromaidan Press, Zelensky’s approval rating has fallen to approximately 25% amid the “Mindichgate” affair. This situation raises concerns that perceptions of corruption could weaken Kyiv’s negotiating position and complicate future Western aid.
The United States has provided about $174.2 billion in assistance to Ukraine from fiscal years 2022 to 2024, covering military, economic, and humanitarian support. A Congressional Research Service brief indicates that recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits have identified gaps in contractor vetting, procurement tracking, and end-use monitoring. These findings have prompted new oversight teams and strengthened reporting requirements to ensure funds are properly managed during wartime.
Ukraine’s global standing on corruption has improved over the past decade but remains below international averages. Transparency International reports that Ukraine scored 35 out of 100 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 105th out of 180 nations. This marks an improvement from its 2014 rank of 144th but still highlights systemic vulnerabilities exacerbated by ongoing war and political upheaval.
Cortes is also a senior political advisor to CatholicVote and a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance. Additionally, he is a commentator for Fox News and CNN and regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
