Zelensky's Key Aide Resigns Amid Corruption Scandal, Negotiation Team Reshuffled
Special Envoy Witkoff to Visit Russia Next Week for Ceasefire Talks Coordination
Bloomberg News reported on November 28 (local time) that a Ukrainian government delegation is heading to the United States to negotiate a ceasefire proposal. The delegation is scheduled to meet this weekend with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy leading the mediation of the ceasefire talks, to discuss the matter.
According to sources familiar with the issue, the Ukrainian delegation consists of Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Serhiy Kyslytsia, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. They are expected to meet with Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Florida.
The Ukrainian delegation's visit to the United States comes as Special Envoy Witkoff is scheduled to visit Russia next week to discuss detailed ceasefire negotiations with the Russian side.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference following the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the previous day that it appears Witkoff will be coming to Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also said at a briefing that the main details have been communicated and that discussions will take place in Moscow next week, confirming plans to hold ceasefire talks with the U.S. delegation.
Bloomberg News also noted that this visit is taking place as President Volodymyr Zelensky's domestic standing has been shaken by a corruption scandal. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) are conducting a corruption investigation related to an energy company. On the morning of the report, the home of Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the President and a member of the Ukrainian ceasefire negotiation team, was searched. Subsequently, Yermak submitted his resignation and was removed from the negotiation team.
AFP, citing anonymous officials, reported that Yermak had planned to participate in this weekend's meeting with Special Envoy Witkoff until his dismissal.
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