Neither Le Figaro, Le Monde, nor Libération — the outlets cited by propagandists — published anything claiming that Volodymyr Zelensky “once again demanded money” from partners at the G7 summit. Screenshots of these publications’ covers were deliberately altered using photo-editing software and circulated on Russian outlets. The aim of the fake is to discredit Ukraine and its president.
Claims are circulating on social media that, following the G7 summit held in France on June 17, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again asked partners for money — and that the claim was reported by leading French media. Russian outlets cite alleged headlines to the effect that Zelensky had, as usual, asked for money, that this was yet another summit at which he once again sought funds, and that the G7 gathering in Évian saw him once again demand money. As evidence, the outlets publish screenshots of front pages from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and Libération purportedly showing such headlines.
In reality, this is a fake. None of the three outlets published anything claiming Zelensky “once again demanded money” from partners. The screenshots of their covers were deliberately altered using photo-editing software and spread on Russian outlets.
Le Figaro’s actual G7-summit edition features a cover photograph of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky beneath a genuine headline noting that, in Évian, Trump and Zelensky resumed dialogue — viewable on the outlet’s official website. Russian outlets altered the headline in a doctored screenshot, replacing it with a fabricated line claiming Zelensky had, as usual, asked for money. The rest of the forged page — layout, captions, photography, advertising — is identical to the genuine edition.
Le Monde’s cover was likewise altered and spread on propaganda outlets. The genuine headline describes a G7 summit dominated by the U.S.-Iran agreement, accompanied by a photo of Emmanuel Macron greeting Donald Trump, with Volodymyr Zelensky walking to the French president’s right; both leaders are shown from behind. Propaganda outlets again swapped in a fabricated headline claiming that, summit after summit and meeting after meeting, Zelensky once again asked for money.
The Libération cover follows the same pattern, edited to insert the same favored narrative about Zelensky perpetually needing money. Propagandists claim the front page carries a headline in the top right corner stating that, at the G7 summit in Évian, Zelensky once again demanded money. The article actually announced in that position carries a genuine headline describing the Évian summit as a productive one for Ukraine. The remaining details, including the main cover photograph, are identical to the original.
In short, all three French outlets’ covers were doctored with fabricated headlines reflecting a familiar Russian propaganda narrative. Through the fakes, propagandists are attempting to portray the G7 summit as a failure for Ukraine and to discredit its president before both domestic and international audiences.
In fact, the G7 summit in France proved productive for Kyiv. Participants reached agreements on strengthening Ukrainian air defense, increasing pressure on Russia, and supporting the country’s energy resilience. According to Emmanuel Macron, Zelensky’s participation allowed G7 leaders to hold an in-depth discussion on the Ukraine issue and, for the first time in such explicit terms, reach agreement on key elements of a deal.
StopFake continues to expose similar fakes in its reports: Fake: French Foreign Ministry Confirms 22,000 French ‘Mercenaries’ Fighting in Ukraine — Le Point and Fake: Photographers With Professional Equipment Filming The Lavra At The Moment Of Impact.
