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 .

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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.

The 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 Th

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