Fed Chief Jerome Powell Fooled by Pro-Putin Russian Pranksters Posing as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
- Powell discussed the outlook for the US economy and inflation
- Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov have fooled several world leaders in the past
- The video aired on pro-Kremlin TV in Russia earlier on Thursday
The chief of the US central bank has been duped by Russian pranksters posing as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
An online video shows Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov discussing the global economy with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
The video aired on state television in Russia and the two self-proclaimed comics are known to be supporters of Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin.
The pair, known as Vovan and Lexus, have fooled several leading politicians, including Angela Merkel, ECB chief Christine Lagarde and Polish President Andrzej Duda
The Russian comics have regularly posed as the Ukrainian president to reach some of the world’s most powerful people to discuss the economic impact of the Moscow invasion.
It shows Powell answering questions from a man he believes is Ukraine’s wartime leader, ranging from the outlook for the US economy to Russian monetary policy.
“We’d tell you a recession is almost as likely,” the 70-year-old said. “I think it’s partly because we raised rates a lot, but this is necessary to bring inflation down.”
“The market is already factoring in two rate hikes of a quarter of a percentage point. We’ll look around after we make those two and we’ll see if we do any more,” he added.
The video was recorded in January and Fed officials said Powell’s comments are no different from his public statements.
But the stunt by the pro-Kremlin comedians will raise concerns about how they managed to reach one of the highest officials in the US.
They tricked Powell’s European counterpart, Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, earlier this year.
The pair, known as Vovan and Lexus, have had spoof conversations with other world leaders in the past.
Previous victims include former German leader Angela Merkel and Andrzej Duda, the president of Poland, and Ben Wallace, the British defense minister.
Officials close to Powell said the call was authentic and said it was being investigated by US law enforcement agencies
A Federal Reserve spokesperson confirmed that the call took place and declined to deny that the video was authentic.
“President Powell participated in a conversation in January with someone who misrepresented himself as the Ukrainian president,” he said.
“It was a friendly conversation and took place in the context of our stand in support of the Ukrainian people at this challenging time. No sensitive or confidential information was discussed.”
The Fed said the matter has now been referred to law enforcement agencies and declined to comment further.