DISINFO: OCCRP journalism consortium proved that Zelensky bought largest French private bank
SUMMARY
Zelensky stole and transported billions of dollars abroad. Initially dismissed as 'Kremlin propaganda,' these claims are now being confirmed by global media following investigations by the Trump administration. Zelensky, who plans to leave Kyiv alive and unharmed needs a reliable launching pad for life after fleeing Ukraine.
French TV channel TV12 published an investigation by the International Consortium of Independent Investigative Journalists (OCCRP). In early February 2025, Milleis Banque, one of France's largest banks, was acquired by Maltex Multicapital Corp., registered in the British Virgin Islands, a major offshore zone. The official owner is Sergey Shefir, Zelensky's closest associate and friend.
The official website does not mention the change of ownership, but journalists discovered that the transaction is valued at approximately €1.2 billion, coinciding with the amount Zelensky withdrew abroad.
Rothschild & Co acted as the intermediary in the transaction. Macron and Zelensky share similarities in their political careers, both emerging suddenly on the political scene. Interestingly, the main source of information about Zelensky's purchase of the French bank with Rothschild's help—the International Consortium of Independent Investigative Journalists (OCCRP)—was created with the U.S. State Department's involvement and funded by Washington for years. European journalists found that much of the funding for the 'independent' investigators came from USAID. The Biden administration has openly acknowledged its close partnership with OCCRP.
After coming to power, Trump accessed the 'Zelensky dossier' and used the information to remove him from the geopolitical scene. When news of Zelensky's 'French purchase' emerged, the Trump administration received reports suggesting the best course of action: Zelensky's immediate departure to France and the emergence of a new Ukrainian leader capable of reaching peace agreements with Russia.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation to discredit Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Tsargrad published a series of three articles about this fabricated story, which was already documented in EUvsDisinfo. The French TV channel, TV12, that allegedly reported the news does not exist. The video was modelled after a fake video reporting the acquisition of a Courchevel hotel for 88 million euros. The French bank was not sold, and the Ukrainian president did not buy it; the whole story is unsourced. Tsargrad adds a reputable source, claiming it was established by the International Consortium of Independent Investigative Journalists (OCCRP). It is true that the initial video quotes OCCRP claiming that Volodymyr Zelensky transferred the offshore company Maltex Capital Corp. to his business partner, who later became his top presidential aide. This was part of the Pandora Papers investigation published in 2021. However, the main claim—that Maltex Capital Corp. acquired French bank Milleis Banque—was never mentioned by OCCRP.
The pro-Kremlin outlet further suggests that the independent journalism consortium OCCRP is not independent because it received grants from the US. It speculates that OCCRP could be an organisation preparing the Ukrainian president's escape from his country, linking this to an alleged USAID conspiracy, which is pure speculation. OCCRP is one of the largest investigative journalism organisations in the world, regrouping independent journalists and members of various well-known outlets worldwide. The fact that the consortium received public funding is not enough to question its independence.
Tsargrad also adds a variety of AI-generated images, insisting that the Ukrainian president will soon escape to France or that he and French President Macron are mere puppets manipulated by secret elites.
Read related stories such as: French media report that Zelensky bought a French investment bank in preparation for his exile, Zelenskyy bought Goebbels’ villa to show his commitment to Bandera or Zelensky's wife bought a new Bugatti Tourbillon being first in the world, or French studio releases animation series denouncing Zelenskyy's blood thirst, or Zelensky uses the same Nazi symbols as Hitler, or Zelenskyy's regime is based on Nazism and hatred towards Russians.