Political news from Kyiv region, government decisions and Ukraine politics
U.S. President Donald Trump sent an atypical negotiating team to Moscow — business partner Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Officials consider such an approach to diplomacy dangerous because of the absence of a broad circle of advisers.
Former head of the Polish party "National Movement," Robert Winnicki, said that Ukraine's defeat in the war would turn Poland into a "buffer state" with grave consequences. He added that this creates a basis for cooperation between Ukraine and the Polish right, despite their anti‑Ukrainian statements.
After a meeting of the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Florida, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported optimistic but cautious progress in efforts to advance a peace plan to end the war with Russia.
The U.S. president told reporters he has chosen a candidate for the post of Federal Reserve chair, but did not specify whether it was National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett.
According to CNN, Washington is considering the option of a separate agreement with Moscow that would effectively block Ukraine’s accession to NATO, but would not require Kyiv to formally renounce that course.
European Commissioner Michael McGrath said that any peace agreements regarding Ukraine cannot include absolving Russia of responsibility for war crimes.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that corruption in Ukraine still remains a problem and is complicating peace talks, but he sees a chance to reach a deal.
Former head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak said he does not hold a grudge against Zelensky over his dismissal, calling him a friend. He spoke about the results of negotiations in Geneva, where the peace plan was reduced from 28 to 19 points.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki adjusted his itinerary for a visit to Hungary after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's meeting with Putin in Moscow. He will only take part in the Visegrád Group summit, canceling other events because of Orbán's trip to Moscow.
French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said that peace in Ukraine is possible if Putin abandons the idea of restoring an empire. According to him, Russia’s minor advances on the front cost it more than 1,000 soldiers every day.
Former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi said the war could end without a victory or defeat for either side. He stressed that a long-term cessation of the war could give Ukraine a chance for reforms, recovery and economic growth.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with Kyiv over a strike on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk. Kazakhstan called it the third "act of aggression" against a civilian facility and expects measures to prevent such incidents.
A Ukrainian delegation headed by Rustem Umerov departed for the United States on Sunday for talks on a peace plan. The meeting will take place after the dismissal of Andriy Yermak, who had been a key negotiator with the West.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in October advised Ukrainian officials to ask for a 10-year suspension of tariffs instead of long-range Tomahawk missiles. This came after Trump's call with Putin, after which the United States refused to provide the missiles to Ukraine.
Russia could use even the family-reunification provision of the U.S. peace plan against Ukraine because of the legal uncertainty surrounding the concept of "family." International law has no unified definition, which creates room for manipulation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Ukrainian delegation led by Rustem Umerov departed for the United States for talks on November 30. The meeting is intended to follow up on the results of the Geneva negotiations aimed at resolving the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump called for the airspace over and around Venezuela to be considered closed. He addressed airlines, pilots and criminals amid a standoff between the countries, without providing further details.
Belgium is blocking an EU plan to provide Ukraine with a loan of up to €140 billion using frozen Russian assets. Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the plan could undermine a future peace agreement and raises legal concerns.
Republicans are divided over strategy in Wisconsin’s April 2026 judicial race. Conservative candidates have lost the last three elections to the state Supreme Court, and now the party is debating whether to align with Trump or to distance itself from the party label.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a new delegation for negotiations to resolve the war. The delegation will be headed by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov; its members include Budanov, Hnatov, Ivashchenko and Kyslytsia.
A Ukrainian delegation headed by Rustem Umerov and Serhii Kyslytsia has traveled to the United States to discuss a peace plan. They will meet in Florida with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sibyha said that Putin used Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as an accomplice in terror. Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv immediately after Orbán's visit and talks about peace.
The government dismissed Halyna Hryhorenko from the post of First Deputy Minister of Culture by order No. 1345‑r of 28 November 2025. She thanked the team and partners and promised to publish details. The President announced Yermak's resignation.
EU Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath said that Kyiv must prosecute corrupt officials if it wants to join the EU. The statement came amid an investigation into a $100 million corruption scandal within Zelensky's inner circle.
Donald Trump vowed to "permanently pause migration from Third World countries" after an Afghan citizen shot and killed a National Guard serviceman near the White House. The U.S. president pledged to toughen immigration policy and deport millions of people.
The dismissal of Andriy Yermak has become a political earthquake for Ukraine. The opposition will seize on it to intensify demands for the formation of a national unity government, and Zelensky has lost his most influential adviser on the eve of difficult negotiations with the United States.
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak amid an anti-corruption investigation. NABU conducted searches at Yermak's residence; he was the country's second-most powerful person and a key negotiator with the West.
During a visit to Moscow, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Budapest was ready to host talks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The leaders also discussed the possibility of a Russian‑American summit and cooperation in the energy sector.
Kyiv has protested the International Judo Federation's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under the national flag, calling it a legitimization of the aggressor.
The main provisions of the peace plan, supported by the United States, for Ukraine and Russia were conveyed to the Kremlin following talks in Geneva. Discussions are scheduled to take place in Moscow next week.