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Team

Toma Istomina photo

Toma Istomina

Deputy Chief Editor

Toma Istomina is the deputy chief editor of the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked for the Kyiv Post from 2017-2021, first as a staff writer, later taking editor roles. For co-founding the Kyiv Independent, Toma was selected as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe in 2022. She holds a master’s in international broadcasting from Taras Shevchenko University.

Articles

‘These were not negotiations’ — Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister on Istanbul talks with Russia in exclusive interview

by Toma Istomina
When Sergiy Kyslytsya returned to Kyiv in February 2025 to take on the role of first deputy foreign minister after serving as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, he brought with him expertise essential to modern Ukrainian diplomacy. After five years in New York and earlier experience at Ukraine’s Embassy to the U.S., Kyslytsya has developed a deep understanding of the American political landscape — a vital asset as Ukraine works to keep Washington as its key ally. During his posting to

Volker: West has made a lot of mistakes in Russia-Ukraine war

by Toma Istomina
The West doesn’t spend enough time analyzing its miscalculations in the Russia-Ukraine war, Kurt Volker, a former U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations, said in an interview with the Kyiv Independent. “We have made many mistakes, from just before Russia's invasion and throughout. The biggest mistake was holding back on types of military assistance out of fear,” he said. Volker served as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-2019, during former U.S. Pre

Estonian PM: ‘Our taxpayers shouldn’t pay for damages caused by Russia’

by Toma Istomina
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Estonia has been one of Ukraine’s most reliable allies since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. A small Baltic country of just 1.3 million people that also shares a border with Russia, Estonia has provided assistance to Ukraine worth nearly 500 million euros, or more than 1.4% of its GDP, making it one of the leading supporters by GDP share. In a recent show of support, during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit

Ex-Estonian president: If NATO ambiguous about conditions for Ukraine, Russia won’t know what to prevent

by Toma Istomina
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Former Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has been among the most vocal supporters of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, just four months after her term came to an end. From public talks at global conferences to behind-the-scenes advocacy, Kaljulaid has been rallying for international aid for Ukraine, as well as for the country’s integration into both the European Union and NATO

Ukraine’s envoy to UN: Entire world complicit in allowing Russia’s unlawful behavior for 30 years

by Toma Istomina
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. NEW YORK CITY – Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya learned of Russia’s all-out war against his country in the middle of a UN Security Council session. When Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine and rockets started raining down on Ukrainian cities around 5 a.m. Kyiv time, it was late evening in New York, where the UN is headquartered. Kyslytsya quickly changed his prepared statement, tel

Lavrov: Putin, Erdogan tentatively agree on unblocking Ukrainian ports

by Toma Istomina
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the two leaders agreed during a phone call on May 30 that as soon as Turkey clears the Ukrainian ports of mines, cargo ships will be able to leave. Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s ports prevents the export of about 22 million tons of grain, creating a threat of famine in countries dependent on the grain, according to Ukrainian officials.