Fact Check: zelinsky has taken cocaine.

Fact Check: "Zelenskyy Has Taken Cocaine"

What We Know

Recently, a claim has circulated on social media suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted to using cocaine. This assertion primarily stems from a deceptively edited video that misrepresents his statements made during a 2019 interview with the Ukrainian media outlet Ukrayinska Pravda. In the original interview, Zelenskyy was asked about rumors regarding his drug use, to which he explicitly denied using cocaine, stating, “Great! Great! No, I’m sitting on something white, but it is a chair. It’s not cocaine. I don’t use drugs” (AP News). The edited video rearranged his comments about coffee and exercise to create the false impression that he was endorsing cocaine use (Reuters).

Additionally, there have been claims regarding Zelenskyy appearing "high" during a February 2024 NBC interview. Observers noted his mannerisms, which some interpreted as signs of drug use. However, no credible evidence supports these claims, and they have been labeled as "unfounded" by fact-checkers (Snopes).

Analysis

The claim that Zelenskyy has taken cocaine is based on manipulated video content and social media speculation rather than factual evidence. The original interview clearly shows Zelenskyy denying drug use, and the edited video that suggests otherwise has been widely debunked (AP News, Reuters).

The credibility of the sources propagating these claims is questionable. Many of the allegations originate from Russian state media and officials, who have a history of attempting to discredit Ukrainian leaders by labeling them as drug addicts (Newsweek). This context raises concerns about potential bias and misinformation aimed at undermining Zelenskyy’s leadership during a time of conflict.

Moreover, the claims about Zelenskyy's behavior during the NBC interview lack substantive proof. Observers speculated about his demeanor without providing any concrete evidence of drug use, and the context of the ongoing war likely contributed to his anxious behavior (Snopes).

Conclusion

The claim that "Zelenskyy has taken cocaine" is False. The evidence presented relies on misleadingly edited videos and unsubstantiated rumors, primarily from sources with potential biases. Zelenskyy has explicitly denied using drugs, and the context surrounding these claims suggests a concerted effort to discredit him rather than any factual basis for the allegations.

Sources

1. Video showing President Zelenskiy 'admitting' to using cocaine is digitally altered
2. Was Zelenskyy High on Cocaine During February 2024 NBC Interview?
3. Video of Zelenskyy talking about cocaine is deceptively edited
4. Putin Ally Calls Zelensky 'An Illegitimate Drug Addict'
5. Viral videos falsely claiming Ukraine's Zelenskyy uses cocaine are altered
6. No, there wasn’t cocaine on Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s desk