Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, in a quote cited in an Associated Press article, Feb. 25
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Hundreds of news articles have cited the line. It’s appeared repeatedly on television newscasts, such as this “Inside Edition” report on the “global hero.”
But, so far, the only evidence for this line is an unnamed U.S. official. It has not been confirmed by either the U.S. government or Zelensky’s office.
The Facts
The AP story on Feb. 25 made a key point — that Zelensky uttered this remark as he rejected a U.S. offer of an immediate evacuation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government but turned down the offer. Zelensky said in response: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation, who described Zelensky as upbeat.
The attribution was a single source, but on the surface it appears to be a good one — a senior U.S. official “with direct knowledge of the conversation.” That suggests a person with access to a transcript or who had even listened in on the call.
Still, it’s just one source. Administration officials expressed confusion about the claim to The Fact Checker — they deny Zelensky was asked to leave Kyiv by the U.S. government — and said they do not know what call the AP is citing.
James LaPorta, the reporter, is a well-sourced former Marine who covers the military and national security for the AP’s investigations team. He told The Fact Checker that he could only say that this was not a call that involved President Biden. “I can understand why they have been denying it,” he said. “It makes them look bad.”
