Kyiv Negotiates Amid Domestic Turmoil
The talks come at a moment of political strain for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration has been shaken by a major corruption scandal that forced the resignation of Andriy Yermak, his influential chief of staff and chief negotiator. The upheaval has raised questions about Kyiv’s negotiating bandwidth just as the peace effort reaches a critical phase.
Despite the internal challenges, Ukrainian officials say they remain committed to pursuing a workable agreement. Witkoff’s meeting with Putin marks the first direct attempt to bridge the remaining gaps between the two sides and will shape whether a feasible path toward de-escalation exists.
