US journalist and geopolitical analyst John Varoli has accused Ukraine's leadership of sacrificing its own population to continue what he describes as NATO's proxy war against Russia. In an interview with RT, Varoli also alleged that billions in Western funding are being stolen by Ukrainian political and oligarchic interests — claims presented in the interview without supporting evidence.
INR Report: Based on reporting and a video interview by RT, published 14 August 2026 and updated 15 August 2026 HERE.
'Until the Last Ukrainian'
Speaking to RT, US journalist and geopolitical analyst John Varoli argued that the government in Kiev is serving the interests of NATO countries rather than those of the Ukrainian population.
Varoli claimed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and what he called his "clique" have "absolutely no interest" in ordinary Ukrainians and neither represent nor serve them.
"The Ukrainian regime serves the interests of the NATO countries, which are fighting a proxy war against Russia."
Varoli went further, saying Ukraine's Western backers were prepared to continue the conflict regardless of its human cost.
"They are literally willing to fight until the last Ukrainian."
According to Varoli, political leaders in Brussels, Washington and London are encouraging Kiev to continue fighting Russia for as long as possible.
Questions Over Western Funding
Varoli also made serious allegations about the enormous amounts of Western financial and military support supplied to Ukraine.
He claimed Ukraine receives billions of dollars from NATO countries and questioned where that money ultimately goes.
"But the question is, where is that money going?"
Varoli alleged that funds were being diverted into the pockets of Zelensky and Ukrainian oligarchs, describing the money as being "stolen."
RT's report does not provide documentary evidence substantiating Varoli's allegation that Zelensky personally pockets Western aid. The claim should therefore be understood as Varoli's allegation rather than an established fact.
Western governments maintain oversight and auditing mechanisms for assistance supplied to Ukraine, although concerns about corruption and the effective monitoring of the enormous flows of money and equipment have remained part of the wider political debate surrounding continued support.
Fallen Ukrainian Soldiers
Varoli made another significant allegation during the interview, claiming Kiev has refused to accept the bodies of some fallen Ukrainian soldiers because officially accepting them would require compensation to be paid to their families.
Again, the RT article provides Varoli's assertion but does not present supporting evidence establishing that financial liability is the reason for any refusal to accept returned bodies.
The issue nevertheless touches on the enormous human cost of the war, particularly for Ukraine, which has faced the challenge of maintaining sufficient military personnel after more than four years of fighting.
A Proxy War?
At the centre of Varoli's argument is the contention that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has evolved into a proxy confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Russia has consistently characterised the conflict in those terms, arguing that Western weapons, intelligence, financing and training have effectively made NATO countries participants in the war.
Ukraine and its Western supporters reject that framing. They maintain that Ukraine is defending itself against Russia's invasion and that Western assistance enables an independent sovereign country to exercise its right of self-defence.
Those competing interpretations remain fundamental to understanding how each side presents the conflict.
WATCH: John Varoli's Full Interview (below)
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: Zelensky fighting NATO’s war ‘until the last Ukrainian’ — John Varoli
The accompanying RT video features John Varoli explaining his argument that Ukraine is fighting a NATO proxy war against Russia and discussing his allegations concerning Western funding and the Ukrainian leadership.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
Yes. New Zealand has supported Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion through military training, financial assistance, humanitarian support and sanctions against Russia.
That makes questions about the objectives, oversight and ultimate effectiveness of Western assistance relevant to New Zealand taxpayers as well.
Varoli's allegations should not be accepted as established simply because they were made in an interview. Equally, allegations concerning corruption, accountability and the human cost of continuing the war are legitimate subjects for scrutiny.
For New Zealand, the broader question is whether continued support contributes towards a realistic path to ending the conflict or prolongs a war in which Ukrainians themselves continue to bear the overwhelming human cost.
Independent reporting. Original context. Credited sources.