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Kateryna Denisova

Politics Reporter

Kateryna Denisova is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in Ukrainian politics. Based in Kyiv, she focuses on domestic affairs, parliament, and social issues. Denisova began her career in journalism in 2020 and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She also studied at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.

Articles

'Expect charges very soon' — Investigators search Zelensky's closest ally in Ukraine's biggest corruption case

Editor's note: Andriy Yermak later submitted his resignation, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) said on Nov. 28 that it was conducting searches at the premises of President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak. Yermak is being investigated by the NABU in a corruption case involving state nuclear power monopoly Energoatom, the biggest corruption investigation during Zelensky's presidency. Eight suspects have been charged in the Energ
U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 18, 2025.

Outrage, disgust, but little surprise — Ukraine reacts to bombshell Witkoff leak

An explosive leak implicating top U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff in shady dealings with Russia has sparked shock and astonishment not only in the U.S. but also in Ukraine. According to conversations leaked by Bloomberg on Nov. 25, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Witkoff advised a Russian official on how to sway the White House. Ukrainian lawmakers, soldiers, and experts told the Kyiv Independent that the leak proves Witkoff could be a tool of the Kremlin rather than a neutral mediat

Trump’s peace plan takes the heat off Zelensky amid major corruption scandal

by Kateryna Denisova
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was hit with a large-scale corruption scandal and a controversial peace plan at the same time earlier this month, his position seemed desperate and vulnerable to many. But in fact the foreign policy crisis helped Zelensky to sideline the domestic controversy. He presented himself as a defender of Ukraine's national interests while holding talks on a U.S. ultimatum that could force Ukraine to accept peace on Russia’s terms. As a result, the foreign pol

'Capitulation and betrayal' — Ukraine rages at controversial US peace plan, piles pressure on Zelensky

Amid mounting pressure from the White House, Kyiv is now grappling with a U.S. 28-point peace plan that many in the country view as a "capitulation." Ukrainian activists, lawmakers, soldiers and veterans warn that the proposal could strengthen Russia's position, leading to further conflict rather than resolution — and not just on the front lines, but on the streets of Ukraine. Volodymyr Ariev, a lawmaker with the opposition European Solidarity party, said that the leaked plan appears to be "a

Zelensky appears to hold on to embattled chief of staff Yermak, faces weakened grip on parliament as a result

by Kateryna Denisova
Volodymyr Zelensky's hold over parliament has apparently weakened following a major corruption scandal that hit close to the president. The president's meeting with his parliamentary faction on Nov. 20, which could have gone either way, ended up without any result, according to lawmakers present at the meeting. Hours before the meeting, reports began to emerge that the president would not oust his Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, despite growing calls from lawmakers to do so. Around 10 pro-gover

New US peace plan pushes Ukraine toward capitulation — here's what we know so far

* Ukrainian officials say the plan closely mirrors Russia's maximalist demands and revives previously dropped concessions. * The framework calls for Ukraine to cede Donbas, halve its military, suspend NATO ambitions, and grant certain political concessions to Russia. * Kyiv and European partners were largely excluded from drafting the plan, though President Volodymyr Zelensky has received the draft. * A senior U.S. official said some reported elements could still change. * The negotiations
President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting with his Greek counterpart in Athens, Greece, on Nov. 16, 2025.

As corruption scandal hits, Zelensky's party lawmakers side with opposition, demand answers, powers

by Oleg Sukhov, Kateryna Denisova
Some lawmakers from President Volodymyr Zelensky's party called on Nov. 19 for creating a government of national unity that would include members of the opposition. Around 10 pro-government lawmakers have allegedly signed an open letter urging the president to restore the parliament's authority and the power of the cabinet of ministers, long overshadowed by the President's Office, now embroiled in the biggest corruption scandal of Zelensky's presidency. David Arakhamia, head of the governing S