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Martin Fornusek
ReporterMartin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.
Articles
Zelensky's chief of staff Yermak resigns amid Ukraine's biggest corruption scandal
Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office, submitted his resignation following searches by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) at his premises earlier on Nov. 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.
Putin hosts Orban in Moscow, says Russia-Hungary relations at historical high
Orban reiterated his readiness to hold the peace talks on Ukraine in Hungary, even as plans for a summit in Budapest between Putin and Trump have been scrapped.
Putin demands Ukrainian troops withdraw before ceasefire, as Witkoff set to visit Moscow
Putin reiterated that the U.S. peace plan could serve as the basis for future agreements, adding that the text needs further discussion.
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
French, UK, Turkish troops could be deployed in Ukraine right after peace deal, Macron says
Forces operating under the "Coalition of the Willing" would be deployed to rear locations, such as Kyiv or Odesa, to provide security and training, Macron said.
Ukraine agrees to cap its army at 800,000 in revised US peace plan, FT reports
A Ukrainian army of this size would still remain the second-largest European force after Russia and put it close to its current wartime strength of about 900,000 service members.
'Echoes of 1938' — Trump's peace plan undermines Europe's security, experts warn
U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for ending Russia’s war has been criticized as effectively imposing the Kremlin's terms for Ukraine’s surrender.
But the plan also poses a direct threat to Europe's security architecture, analysts and diplomats believe.
The proposal requires Ukraine to cede territory, limit its alliances, and sharply reduce its military — conditions far more sweeping than any proposal discussed in previous negotiation rounds.
The plan is a major blow to the principles on whi
Ukraine reiterates its 'red lines' amid speculations about military size, territory
Ukraine remains ready for peace talks with Russia but will never legally recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
Kremlin rejects European counter-proposal to US peace plan for Ukraine
Kyiv's European partners reportedly pitched the plan as a counter-proposal to a 28-point document backed by the Trump administration, which was criticized for heavily favoring Russia.
Poland charges another Ukrainian over suspected Russian-backed railway sabotage
Volodymyr B. was charged with assisting what Warsaw called an "unprecedented act of sabotage," allegedly orchestrated by Russian intelligence.
Ukraine plans Zelensky's visit to US in November to finalize peace deal with Trump
"We look forward to organizing a visit of Ukraine's president to the U.S. at the earliest suitable date in November to complete final steps and make a deal with President (Donald) Trump," said Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Ukraine, US reportedly cut down peace plan to 19 points, but key decisions left for leaders
"I think we all recognize that part of getting a final end to this war will require for Ukraine to feel that it is safe and it is never going to be invaded or attacked again," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Serbia’s indirect arms sales to Ukraine highlight fractures in its longstanding relationship with Russia
Serbia's foreign policy has long been one of multiple vectors, rooted in a balancing act between the West, Russia, and China.
But the war in Ukraine and mounting pressure from both sides suggest this strategy may no longer be sustainable.
Caught between U.S. sanctions, stalled EU accession, and Russian gas blackmail, Belgrade uses indirect arms sales to Ukraine as leverage — as well as a chance to fill the pockets of Serbian arms makers.
Just months after freezing arms exports under pressure
As reparations loan talks stall, EU proposes 90 billion euro grant to cover Ukraine's financing needs
Based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates, the EU expects that if the Russia-Ukraine war ends in 2026, Kyiv will face a financial gap of 135.7 billion euros ($157 billion) in the 2026-2027 period.
Poland reopens 2 border crossings with Belarus after their years-long closure
Poland reopened the Kuznica and Bobrowniki crossings with Belarus after they had been closed for years, citing economic reasons and strengthened security along the eastern frontier.
