Watch: Russian pranksters trick Fed Reserve chair into conversation with fake Ukrainian president Zelensky

Russian pranksters tricked Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell into a conversation with a person pretending to be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the New York Times reports, citing “video clips covered on Russian state television and posted online.”

A spokesperson for the Federal Reserve confirmed the January conversation with CNN, insisting the talk was “friendly” and “took place in a context of our standing in support of the Ukrainian people in this challenging time.”

“No sensitive or confidential information was discussed,” the spokesperson added.

Per CNN:

In clips posted online of the January conversation, Powell discussed global politics and the economy. He said he supported the Ukrainian people but was limited in ways he could help. And Powell said a recession was likely coming in the not-too-distant future and divulged the Fed’s plans to raise rates in 2023.

Powell has said all of that publicly as well.

According to the Times, “The ruse appears to have been carried out by Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, pranksters who are supporters of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.”

The spokesperson said the matter has been referred to law enforcement.

You can watch a clip of the conversation below or at this link.