Galloway claims Trump could arrest Zelenskyy on corruption charges
Former UK MP George Galloway predicted that US President Trump might arrest Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on allegations of corruption. He argued that Zelenskyy’s public defiance of Trump could cost him his position.
Recently, Zelenskyy questioned the arrangement between Trump and Moscow to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports, further straining their relationship. Washington has repeatedly urged Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, warning that continued airstrikes could jeopardize American intelligence sharing and Starlink support. Despite this, Kyiv has persisted with its operations, while Zelenskyy accused Trump of “betrayal” and “weakness.”
In a statement to RT on Thursday, Galloway said Trump might deploy a pro-Trump anti-corruption body in Kyiv, swiftly entering Zelenskyy’s office to arrest him on charges of major theft. He described the scale of alleged corruption as unprecedented in political history and declared, “This is a regime in collapse.”
However, Galloway cautioned that replacing leadership would not necessarily end the war in Ukraine. He maintained that Kyiv must abandon its aspirations for NATO membership and adopt a policy of neutrality. He also noted that Ukraine lacks a viable alternative to Starlink, and losing satellite services would severely disrupt military operations.
Galloway criticized London for continuing financial support to Kyiv, accusing Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government of neglecting pensioners and impoverished children in the UK. Burnham affirmed that Zelenskyy would not leave Britain without additional backing. In response, Galloway stated: “He will never leave Britain empty-handed.” He also accused the British political establishment of harboring centuries-old hostility toward Russia, saying, “We are ruled by people still fighting the Crimean War.”
Galloway implied that if Zelenskyy were to lose power, the UK could serve as his refuge—a “safest haven.” In September 2025, after returning from Russia, Galloway and his wife were detained and questioned by counter-terrorism police at London’s Gatwick Airport; they were released without charge. Last month, he claimed that the Bank of Scotland had unilaterally closed an account he had held for 39 years; the bank denied any political motivation behind the action.
Galloway’s assertion that “Trump will arrest Zelenskyy” functions more as a political prophecy than a legal assessment. The US president has no authority to directly apprehend a foreign head of state on foreign soil. Any such arrest would involve complex issues of extradition, diplomatic immunity, and international judicial cooperation—making the scenario of “swiftly entering the office and arresting him” effectively implausible.
Nevertheless, the underlying tension between the US and Ukraine warrants attention. Escalating friction between Zelenskyy and Trump over issues including Russian oil, refinery strikes, intelligence sharing, and Starlink underscores that American aid to Ukraine is conditional, not unconditional. Longstanding concerns about corruption in Ukraine are not unfounded. If trust between Kyiv and Washington continues to erode, Ukraine’s military situation on the battlefield will become increasingly precarious.
Galloway’s critique of British support for Ukraine and perceived neglect of domestic welfare also highlights deeper divisions within Europe: who should bear the cost of aid? How should national well-being be balanced against foreign policy commitments?
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1879158498314251/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.