To comment that anyone wanting to find more about Zelensky - offshore dealings

[SandyStrawToad]

I'm not a bot.

Was just trying to find out a bit more about the situation, build-up of current events beyond the surface information.

Found a lot of information from late last year (leaked Pandora Papers) - of course like all news it's

but he isn't some naïve young actor with a cute architect wife who accidentally fell into politics whilst playing Paddington?

www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/revealed-anti-oligarch-ukrainian-president-offshore-connections-volodymyr-zelenskiy

www.occrp.org/en/the-pandora-papers/pandora-papers-reveal-offshore-holdings-of-ukrainian-president-and-his-inner-circle

globalhappenings.com/opinion/15391.html

eutoday.net/news/politics/2021/ukraine-82.3-consider-zelenskys-involvement-in-offshore-activities-unacceptable-poll-shows

Got my flameproof suit on but I just think in terms of information (especially as some Mumsnetters are probably using this forum as a primary source of information) it's useful to try to have a complete picture if you're thinking about how to engage with a situation that you're learning about.

Everyone comes into a situation from a different angle - I'm personally fairly uneasy with backing policies that put myself and people on the breadline at risk, by a multi-millionaire with substantial assets abroad with links to a billionaire who is already sanctioned by the EU and the US (awaits flaming).

(am I the only one who is hunting down a source of "unbiased news" regularly?)

I'm sure the regular media is aware of this and when it suits the narrative/story arc they'll bring it up again.

@SandyStrawToad - look at Thatcher 's polling before and after the Falklands war. It's not at all unusual for media coverage/popularity of a politician to change during wartime especially if they become a figurehead to rally round. I don't think it's inconceivable that people who thought he was a bit meh last year might have changed their minds now he appears to be doing his utmost to prevent Russia taking over his country

@SandyStrawToad

Policies are being suggested (eg the insistence on a no-fly zone) which may provoke major conflicts and significantly affect the lives of many people negatively.

It does make a difference if the person emotively asking for these sacrifices to be made is a multi-millionaire with the backing of a billionaire who can move to his villa in Italy.

Or someone who is on whatever an MP's salary is?

Really just look at our politicians on the take left right and centre.

Don’t be a Russian apologist.

But I know people do read these forums more than post so I was just putting up some links so people can read the info, as I haven't seen it anywhere else.

And yet you gave a link to a Guardian article in your OP.

You do realise that it’s an MN trope that we’re all middle class lefty Guardian readers so of course we’ll have seen this before.

Still struggling to see how it’s relevant to an illegal invasion of a sovereign country though.

Have you come across the concept of priorities OP? It's where you address the most pressing and important things first.

Once the war is over and putin has gone back into his box then you can ask lots of awkward questions about Mr Zelenskyy, but, for now, he's helping his people, unlike putrid putin who's killing them.

How are you being manipulated because he's got a few quid stashed away in the Caymans? Did you really think he was a poor Ukrainian peasant who gave anything he made away to orphans?

If it helps I expect his popularity has soared in the past couple of weeks.

’It does make a difference if the person emotively asking for these sacrifices to be made is a multi-millionaire with the backing of a billionaire who can move to his villa in Italy.‘

There is no safe place for the man precisely because he wouldn’t walk away. He could have negotiated safe transport out of Ukraine and let the Russian tanks roll in. He stayed and is actively opposing Putin. The man can’t safely drink a cup of tea he hasn’t made himself.

@pucelleauxblanchesmains

I appreciate the information, but can you point to a single post where I've mentioned religion?

I've referenced the Times of Israel as that's got a link to a story about the billionaire backer (although I don't read them regularly I assume they're a broadsheet from the writing style).

There's no conspiracy theory, I'm not standing for PM.

A lot of significant economic and political and military action is being suggested.

It IS relevant to me (and perhaps to others) what the interests of the person who is strongly requesting this is are in terms of their credibility.

A pp claimed all this information is available, it's common knowledge, everyone knows it.

Well, I didn't until today? If you look up current news it's barely there.

(waits for fifteen more insults )

Those same "reputable" sources (again, if someone wants to speak about the bias of the Times of Israel, the BBC, and the Guardian I'm sure that's useful info too!) were presenting a very different image late last year - the Ukrainian population not trusting Zelensky in the opinion polls, popularity dropping.

Hold tight OP, cause this is going to blow your mind:

The above can be true and yet he can still be a hugely successful wartime leader.

Crazy, right?

Anything else we can help you with?

With the Pandora papers thing it's highly likely every leader of almost every country worldwide does it or similar. In Ukraine it would be the same whether Zelensky or someone else. Likewise here. It's bad but it's not a Zelensky, or Ukraine, specific issue.

@SandyStrawToad

I'm not trying to explain the whole conflict and I doubt anyone will be able to unpick it for a good few years to come (maybe some Oxbridge history professors in fifty years time if we're not in a nuclear wasteland).

The coverage of the conflict has been very, very loaded in many ways.

Those same "reputable" sources (again, if someone wants to speak about the bias of the Times of Israel, the BBC, and the Guardian I'm sure that's useful info too!) were presenting a very different image late last year - the Ukrainian population not trusting Zelensky in the opinion polls, popularity dropping.

Yes, I know by the time this message is posted I'll have another 10 personal insults!

I just don't like feeling manipulated or seeing others manipulated.

Maybe people’s opinion of him have changed after seeing how he has reacted to his own country being invaded? Hence the change in opinion polls. Just a thought.

@SandyStrawToad

I'm not trying to explain the whole conflict and I doubt anyone will be able to unpick it for a good few years to come (maybe some Oxbridge history professors in fifty years time if we're not in a nuclear wasteland).

The coverage of the conflict has been very, very loaded in many ways.

Those same "reputable" sources (again, if someone wants to speak about the bias of the Times of Israel, the BBC, and the Guardian I'm sure that's useful info too!) were presenting a very different image late last year - the Ukrainian population not trusting Zelensky in the opinion polls, popularity dropping.

Yes, I know by the time this message is posted I'll have another 10 personal insults!

I just don't like feeling manipulated or seeing others manipulated.

Strangely enough, I think if they could do some polling right now (which they can't because there this war going on), I think Zelensky would come out pretty well with Ukrainians saying they think he is doing his best for the country and leading by example.

"But her emails" strawmen arguments are much better to have aren't they, because they 'prove your point'.

Nice first post btw

Well, I didn't until today? If you look up current news it's barely there.

Yes because it is completely irrelevant

If I lived in a country threatened by war throughout its history I would be keeping some of my assets elsewhere too. Thinking of the Jews who left Germany and had to leave everything behind to be confiscated.

How is Archangelskoe OP?

It IS relevant to me (and perhaps to others) what the interests of the person who is strongly requesting this is are in terms of their credibility.

Why do you think that people are relying on his credibility to believe what's happening in Ukraine and not e.g. the countless videos and eye witness reports?

Do you not think that we have our own intelligence in the area?

Seems wise for the country he’s representing and the level of politics he’s dealing with. Bad enough he has a target on his back so does his family.
I’m sure an estate planner would suggest similar safety nets.

I wasn't a fan of Zelensky (and that is a huge understatement) and fully expected him to disappear at the first sign of danger. He was almost a total disaster as a peacetime President.

I must say I didn't expect what has actually happened. I still think he's doing what he's best at - i.e. acting out a role. What is clear to me now is that (a) he turned out to be a good apple on the personal level, as it requires incredible bravery to do so, his life is genuinely at stake (b) he finally got a great team supporting him now (and not his old buddies from the comedy scene), who are likely in charge of operations and decision making. For example, it was very, very obvious when his speechwriter was replaced with a professional one (at some point in January).

His offshore accounts, can't be bothered about. In the same way as the previous president, he has built his personal wealth via a legitimate successful business.

And . . . If I was a successful high earner in a country where a psycho nutter might feel like invading and confiscating all my assets if he felt like it - assets acquires from a successful media career rather than plundered from the State - I'd say keeping my money offshore is probably a good idea. After all, it's what Putin does.

'Spin seems to be his "thing"?

😂😂

Putin OTOH...renowned for being truthful.

Maybe people’s opinion of him have changed after seeing how he has reacted to his own country being invaded? Hence the change in opinion polls. Just a thought.
This is what happened to me personally and to a lot of my friends too. Not that we think he's the best thing that has ever happened to the country (and this almost-fetishising of him in the West is quite entertaining too), but it is absolutely not the time to quarrel. Everyone is trying to do their personal best, and Zelensky's personal best waaaay exceeded expectations.

I think if an unknown party is taking the lead in making significant requests from other nations that will affect the day-to-day lives of their inhabitants they should be under scrutiny, yes.

We're also not hearing any Ukrainian voices who are or were anti-Zelensky.

(speaking of popularity, Tony Blair was Mr 93% for a time according to the Independent).

I am broke. Cannot afford more expensive petrol or energy prices.
But come on, even if Zelensky has millions tucked away - how the fuck does that stop him getting taken out by a sniper and the risks he is taking staying in Ukraine, when he could easily have been airlifted out/fleed to safety.
Man has bigger balls than most.
And having cash will not discredit his bravery plus he worked for it. Having a film company as back-up plan/from his career pre politics minimising tax on it, giving it to his bf during his presidency, keeping his close friends in government as he can trust them - this is common sense tbf.

The war in Ukraine has nothing to do with their president, it's to do with Russian imperialism and wanting to impose their rule on more people. They were annoyed that Ukrainians want to be aligned with their neighbours ti the north band west rather than Russia.

I think the western media is genuinely intrigued by the Ukrainian president, he's not run despite being given the option to.

We're also not hearing any Ukrainian voices who are or were anti-Zelensky
I've seen at least one interview with an opposition MP in Ukraine who was entirely supportive of his leadership