President Zelensky announces his income for 2019 – official declaration

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's declaration of property, income, expenses and financial liabilities for 2019 has been made public.

According to his assets declaration posted on the website of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the Zelensky family's income last year was UAH 28.6 million, or US$1.06 million, the president's press service said.

They paid UAH 3.6 million, or US$133.978, in taxes to the country's budget.

"Since May 2019, Zelensky has not been engaged in entrepreneurship and has been paid a salary by the government agency for state affairs alone. The president's salaries paid May through December 2019 totaled UAH 208,787 (US$7,770)," it said.

An increase in First Lady Olena Zelenska's pay and a decrease in Zelensky's salaries and income from entrepreneurial activity were recorded over the reporting period.

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In particular, the president's family in 2019 received UAH 5.1 million (US$189,803) as redemption for government domestic loan bonds and they spent UAH 5.2 million (US$193,524) on buying new government bonds.

Zelensky also declared UAH 4.42 million (US$164,607) from the sale of real estate owned by his wife on Velyka Vasylkivska Street in the city of Kyiv.

In addition, the president's family sold corporate rights in all 12 Ukrainian enterprises to the family of Serhiy Shefir for UAH 246,144 (US$9,161).

"In the spring of 2019, Zelensky sold shares in Green Family LTD, as well as all four trademarks registered in the Russian Federation. The president also sold corporate rights in such foreign companies as Vilhar Holdings Limited and Aldorante Limited," the press service said.

According to the assets declaration, Zelensky is still the owner of many trademarks. For example, he was registered as the owner of two Servant of the People trademarks in 2019.

PricewaterhouseCoopers evaluated some of the trademarks in 2019. According to the relevant report, the Vechirniy Kvartal trademark is worth UAH 45.8 million (US$1.7 million). The Pozmishy Komika ('Make a comedian laugh') trademark, which was also evaluated, is worth UAH 14.6 million (US$545,217). Based on the evaluation, Zelensky received royalties from the use of the trademarks in the amount of UAH 5.048 million (US$187,868), so his income increased compared to the previous year.

What is more, the Zelensky family received UAH 3.2 million (US$119,092) as rent fees for an apartment in the UK.

In 2019, Olena Zelenska borrowed UAH 5 million (US$186,081) from Serhiy Shefir. The loan was repaid before the end of the reporting year.

In 2019, Zelensky spent UAH 11.5 million (US$427,986) on a contribution to the election fund as a presidential candidate in Ukraine. Some UAH 567,875 (US$21,134) was spent on PricewaterhouseCoopers' consulting services.

"Zelensky's trip to the Sultanate of Oman was sponsored by First Lady Olena Zelenska. According to the legislation, expenses and legal actions by family members are not subject to declaration," the press service reported.