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Tim Zadorozhnyy

Reporter

Tim Zadorozhnyy is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent covering foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. He studied International Relations and European Studies at Lazarski University and Coventry University. Tim began his journalism career in Odesa in 2022 as a reporter for a local television channel. He later spent a year and a half at the Belarusian independent media outlet NEXTA, first as a news anchor and later as a managing editor. He is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

t.zadorozhnyy@kyivindependent.com
For media & speaking inquiries:
press@kyivindependent.com

Articles

Politics

Exclusive: Trump envoy's push to reopen Lithuanian ports to Belarus exposes rift in Washington

by Jimmy Rushton, Tim Zadorozhnyy, Martin Fornusek
The Trump administration's push to reopen Lithuanian ports to Belarusian potash exports is being driven by U.S. envoy John Coale and does not reflect a broader policy shift in Washington, multiple U.S. and European officials told the Kyiv Independent. The initiative has little support within the administration, with U.S. officials describing it as Coale acting independently rather than advancing an agreed government policy. Lithuania, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, also has no plans to change
Europe

Ukraine, EU split over US-backed plan to bring Russian gas back to Europe

by Chris Powers, Tim Zadorozhnyy
The European Union is unlikely to accept a U.S. proposal to resume Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukraine, EU officials told the Kyiv Independent, despite Washington's belief that the scheme could help secure a ceasefire and provide economic benefits to Kyiv. The proposal would allow Russia to resume gas exports to Europe through a U.S. intermediary, potentially generating transit revenue for Ukraine while offering European consumers access to Russian gas. But the plan faces a major
Politics

Ukraine never agreed to pause strikes on Russian refineries, sources confirm

by Jimmy Rushton, Tim Zadorozhnyy
Ukraine's campaign targeting Russian oil refineries is ongoing, Ukrainian officials told the Kyiv Independent, rejecting reports that Kyiv had agreed to suspend the strikes. The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 29, citing people familiar with the operations, that Ukraine had agreed to a "pause" in attacks on Russian oil refineries. According to the report, the pause was expected to remain in place until after the U.S. midterm elections, potentially extending into November. The WSJ also cla
Politics

Putin open to phone call with Zelensky, Ukraine suspects a Kremlin trap

by Tim Zadorozhnyy
The Kremlin is seeking to avoid a face-to-face meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin by proposing they speak by phone instead, the Kyiv Independent has learned. The apparent move comes as Kyiv insists the two leaders should meet in person to address the most pressing issues in negotiations, including Russia's territorial demands and security guarantees. Such a meeting would be their first since 2019. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters
Politics

As Ukraine, Russia head back to peace talks, here's what Zelensky expects

by Tim Zadorozhnyy
A planned meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi will focus on de-escalating Russia's war, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Oct. 27, as Moscow seemingly agreed to resume talks with Kyiv after a pause of more than eight months. Although Ukrainian officials do not expect the first round to produce a major breakthrough, Kyiv hopes the meeting will restart regular negotiations and deliver limited results. "They had the impression the Russians are serious about the
Politics

Kyiv's Brussels blunder leaves EU scrambling over phantom Zelensky visit

by Tim Zadorozhnyy, Chris Powers
President Volodymyr Zelensky's planned Oct. 26 trip to Brussels descended into a diplomatic guessing game, with conflicting signals from his own team leaving EU and NATO officials scrambling to establish whether he was coming — and who was supposed to meet him. At the center of the confusion was a proposed four-way meeting between Ukraine, the U.S., the EU, and NATO on efforts to end Russia’s war. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to join the talks and brief European off

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