Portrayal of Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “puppet” of globalist elites and oligarchs

What it claims

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is portrayed as an artificially created figure controlled by Western corporations, the US military-industrial complex, and “globalist” structures like the WEF. The campaign exploits real corruption scandals and offshore investigations to discredit the Ukrainian leadership and frame the war as a business project of foreign elites. This aims to erode German public trust in continued support for Ukraine.

Target audience

Examples (paraphrased)

We paraphrase rather than quote: propaganda's exact wording is built to spread, so we carry the claim and not the craft. Each example cites the post it came from.

• Zelenskyy is merely an actor and a puppet used by the US and globalist elites to advance their geostrategy under the guise of fighting for democracy.

  UNN — Unabhängig-Neutrale Nachrichten, 15 Jul 2026

  t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/27901

• The death of US Senator Lindsey Graham in Ukraine, described as a “warmonger,” is surrounded by strange circumstances suggesting possible Russian retaliation for his calls to assassinate Putin.

  UNN — Unabhängig-Neutrale Nachrichten, 13 Jul 2026

  t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/27884

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Goal

To convince the German audience that aid to Ukraine is the funding of a corrupt regime and the enrichment of “globalists” rather than the defence of democracy.

Techniques used

• Obfuscation / Intentional VaguenessMixing real facts (Pandora Papers) with conspiracy theories about a “new world order” and “WEF plans.”
• Name Calling or LabelingUsing labels like “puppet,” “charlatan,” “pope,” and “warmonger” to discredit Zelenskyy and his partners.

The real grievance it exploits

The manipulation draws on deep-seated distrust of political elites, fear of the influence of big capital (George Soros, Bill Gates), and resentment over corruption, especially regarding the use of taxpayer money during times of economic instability in Germany.

How to counter

• Technique exposure: Note the use of the “guilt by association” tactic: propaganda links Zelenskyy with well-known philanthropists and international organisations to trigger existing societal prejudices against “globalism.”

Sources (all time)

• UNN — Unabhängig-Neutrale NachrichtenTier 322,557 subscribers
  5 posts · 13 Jul – 12 Aug 2026

  • 12 Aug · t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/28271
  • 22 Jul · t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/27984
  • 18 Jul · t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/27949
  • 15 Jul · t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/27901
  • 13 Jul · t.me/unabhaengig_neutral/27884