In a recent prank call with a pair of Russian jokers posing as Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Energy Secretary Rick Perry said the United States wants to help Ukraine on civilian nuclear power issues.
During the call staged by Vladimir Kuznetsov (aka Vovan) and Alexei Stolyarov (aka Lexus), Perry lumped “the civil nuclear side” into the basket of energy initiatives for which the U.S. wants to be a “good partner” to Ukraine.
“We’re going to stand with each other and help each other, from an economic standpoint,” Perry told the phony phone callers.
Kuznetsov posted an audio clip of the call on his YouTube page Tuesday.
The Energy Department confirmed the call in a prepared statement Tuesday.
“Secretary Perry is the latest target of two Russian pranksters,” an agency spokesperson said by email. “These individuals are known for pranking high level officials and celebrities, particularly those who are supportive of an agenda that is not in line with their governments. In this case, the energy security of Ukraine.”
The spokesperson said DOE accepted the call July 12 as a follow-up to Perry’s June 20 meeting with real-life Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Kuznetsov and Stolyarov have evidently fooled a number of other high-profile politicians and celebrities, taking credit, among others, for crank calling: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz); Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.); Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.); and musician Elton John.
