Now Volodymyr Zelenskyy Wants The U.S. To Fund Ukraine’s Elections

Last Updated on: 18th June 2024, 09:30 am

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. and its allies need to fund Ukraine’s elections to the tune of more than 5 billion hryvnia, or $135 million USD, according to Reuters. 

Zelenskyy’s remarks were featured in an interview with Natalia Moseichuk, an anchor for the 1+1 Channel, where he cited the ongoing conflict with Russia and the imposition of martial law as barriers to conducting an election.

Zelenskyy said he made the demand directly to Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, telling the Senator that he said it cost 5 billion hryvnia ($135 million) to hold elections in peacetime. “I don’t know how much is needed in wartime,” he said. “So I told him that if the U.S. and Europe provide financial support …”

NEW: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he will only be holding an election next year if United States taxpayers keep sending him money.

Zelensky & Biden: Masters of election interference

Zelensky says he personally made the demand to none other than Republican Senator… pic.twitter.com/iK1NWrlQ8e

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 28, 2023

“I will not take money from weapons and give it to elections. And this is stipulated by the law,” he added.

Since the war began, the Biden administration has given more than $75 billion in assistance to Ukraine.

In August, the Biden administration submitted a request to congressional leaders for around $40 billion in new emergency spending. The request includes more than $24 billion in aid to Ukraine, $12 billion for federal disaster relief replenishment, and $4 billion to address matters at the southern border, such as shelter for migrants and anti-fentanyl efforts, according to Politico. 

Critics were quick to point out the disparity between the aid to Ukraine and the one-time check of $700 given to victims of the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. 

Biden promised a one-time payment of $700 per household to Maui applicants who are displaced from their homes and have critical needs.

The checks were seen as insulting and a slap in the face in light of ten times that much going to Ukraine.

Now maybe if Hawaiian Electric gave… pic.twitter.com/6BSTkhxgQa

— Steve (@oldguy_steve) August 25, 2023

It is also interesting to note that since the aid is tied together in one package, Congress will have to vote for the Ukraine package in order to pass aid funding for residents of Maui.