(NewsNation) — Published reports are rebutting claims by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that the Ukraine military is selling U.S.-provided arms to drug cartels in North America.
The conspiracy theorist made the claim this week during “The Tucker Carlson Show” on X as he discussed the war in Ukraine and other issues with retired U.S. Army officer Daniel Davis.
“The Ukrainian military is selling a huge percentage, up to half of the arms that we send them — half,” Carlson said. “A lot of it’s winding up with the drug cartels on our border. This is a crime what’s happening.”
Carlson further claimed that U.S. intelligence agencies know about the billions in transactions that effectively funnel weapons to “our actual enemies.” Cartels are considered a growing threat to U.S. agents working to secure the southern border.
Carlson, who has been critical of the U.S. role in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia, did not provide evidence. His assertions quickly drew scrutiny from the Kyiv Post, an English-language newspaper, which published a “fact check” article Wednesday that casts doubt on them.
President Trump’s own emissary in the region, Keith Kellogg, has said U.S. funds provided to Ukraine have been audited and accounted for, the article notes. The Kyiv Post adds that Ukraine typically obtains missiles, artillery shells and armored vehicles through U.S. assistance — items that are not associated with cartels.
While Ukraine also receives small arms from the Pentagon, logistical challenges make it unlikely they are being routed to Mexico, the article said.
The Ukraine government-affiliated website United 24 Media also criticized Carlson’s show this week. Citing Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, the website said stories about the country selling weapons on the black market are false narratives that benefit Russia.
