Ukraine’s president faces compounding pressures as domestic political turmoil intersects with crucial international negotiations. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is dealing with the sudden resignation of Andriy Yermak, his chief of staff and closest adviser, amid a widening anti-corruption investigation.
The scandal represents the most serious political crisis of Zelenskyy’s presidency, coming at a particularly sensitive moment as American envoys shuttle between Kyiv and Moscow seeking a negotiated end to the war. The timing creates additional challenges as Ukraine seeks to maintain a strong negotiating position.
Despite these domestic difficulties, Zelenskyy has maintained an aggressive diplomatic schedule. He spent several hours in detailed discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing primarily on peace negotiation strategies and security guarantee mechanisms. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that peace must become genuinely durable while ending the conflict as soon as possible.
From Paris, both leaders participated in a joint call with American envoys and Ukraine’s delegation head, coordinating positions ahead of the Moscow talks. This multilateral coordination reflects European determination to remain involved in shaping any eventual peace settlement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed cautious optimism about progress while acknowledging substantial work remains. He described the situation as delicate with numerous moving parts, noting that Russia must be incorporated into discussions. The American diplomat’s comments came after weekend talks with Ukrainian officials at a private Florida venue.