Ukraine peace talks shaken up by resignation of Zelenskyy's top aide in corruption probe

Just as peace talks were gaining traction, Ukraine has lost its lead negotiator

Just as peace talks were gaining traction, Ukraine has lost its lead negotiator.

Andriy Yermak, an ever-present figure at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s side throughout the war with Russia, resigned as chief of staff on Friday after an anti-corruption raid at his home, injecting fresh uncertainty for Ukraine’s leadership.

The exit leaves a vacuum around Zelenskyy as talks accelerate, isolating the Ukrainian president at a critical moment and creating an opening Moscow may try to exploit, analysts say.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and his chief of staff Andriy Yermak in Madrid on Nov. 18.Oscar Del Pozo / AFP - Getty ImagesThe development capped a dramatic week, which began with Kyiv under intense pressure from President Donald Trump to endorse a plan that aligned with Moscow’s hard-line demands. An initial deadline of Thursday, imposed by the White House, passed without any announcement as Ukraine and its allies pushed back against calls for the country to cede territory.

Ukrainian negotiators, led by Yermak, secured changes, and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will now head to Moscow for talks next week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.