Report: White House has ‘deep distrust’ of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, even as he continues to send aid

The United States sent another $550 million in military aid to Ukraine on Monday, despite reports of “deep distrust” between its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and President Biden.

National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby announced the help as part of an effort to “resist Russian aggression” and as a demonstration of “continued US support for Ukraine.”

The Biden administration has provided Ukraine with more than $8 billion in aid since the invasion began, while the Senate approved $40 billion in military, economic and humanitarian aid aid package in May.

The New York Times reported that month that the United States had sent Ukraine to that point over $54 billion overall help.

NOTE: Biden Admin. sending an additional $550 million to Ukraine.

“It’s bringing in more than $8 billion, just the takeover principle, in material and security support for Ukraine since the invasion began,” said National Security Councilman John Kirby. pic.twitter.com/oZYjuNB8Xy

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 1, 2022

RELATED: Biden on how long Americans can expect to pay high gas prices – ‘As long as it takes’

Biden reportedly distrusts Zelensky

Biden administration continues to provide aid to Ukraine war effort, even as officials have leaked to Ukraine New York Times that the President has a “deep distrust” of Zelensky.

“The war in Ukraine is not over. And privately, US officials are far more worried about Ukraine’s leadership than they let on. There is deep mistrust between the White House and Ukrainian President Volodymyr [Zelenskyy] — much more than has been reported,” columnist Thomas Friedman wrote.

Kirby played down the controversy during a press briefing on Tuesday.

“The President has spoken many, many times in admiration of President Zelensky’s leadership and courage in this time of war,” he said.

And that’s why he remained very committed to continuing to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.”

Ukrainian Pr. Zelensky fired his chief prosecutor and security chief amid a number of cases of suspected betrayal by Ukrainian law enforcement officials.

“We are not concerned that…it will affect our support for Ukraine going forward,” says NSC Adm. John Kirby. pic.twitter.com/37xZaI6Zy4

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 18, 2022

RELATED: Celebrities to hold fundraiser for Ukraine while Americans suffer financially

Corruption in Ukraine

Friedman’s column also suggests possible “corruption” in Ukraine and points to Zelenskyy’s firing of Ukraine’s attorney general and head of domestic intelligence.

“There are funny jobs in Kyiv,” he wrote, though the columnist offers little explanation as to why these layoffs took place.

Zelensky had mentioned cases of their cooperation with Russia.

“It’s like we don’t want to look too closely under the hood in Kyiv for fear of what corruption or shenanigans we’ll see when we’ve invested so much there,” concludes Friedman.

#Ukraine‘small #Zelenskyy fires the spy chief and the attorney general https://t.co/s1fIvLBSrK pic.twitter.com/ebNFn43xDy

— Billy Long (@auctnr1) July 18, 2022

Having a “deep distrust” of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and openly considering corruption in the country – It wasn’t that long ago that the media would accuse you of siding with Russia for such acts.

The National Review he wondered what was behind it Friedman’s report, which marks the second instance of White House officials leaking negative news about Zelensky to the New York Times.

They discussed the possibility of the government setting Ukraine up to take the fall, “laying the groundwork to argue, “We did everything we could to help the Ukrainians defend themselves, but ultimately they were too incompetent, too corrupt, and too mired in infighting ».

While it’s only speculation, that would seem par for the course with this President. Blame Russia for inflation and gas prices, then blame Ukraine for wasting billions of taxpayer money.