Andrii Smyrnov held the position of the President's Office deputy head from September 2019 until March 2024, when President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed him without naming a reason.
"We appreciate that Germany plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine throughout the years of war. Ukraine is also grateful for your personal commitment," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Key developments on May 5: * Ahead of Putin's Victory Day Parade, Ukrainian drones reportedly target Moscow, Russian officials claim * Ukraine strikes Russian drone control center in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's General Staff says * Special tribunal against Russian leadership may be launched in 2026, President's Office says * Czech Republic ready to train
Andrii Smyrnov is under investigation for allegedly legalizing illicit assets and accepting a bribe worth $100,000.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico condemned President Volodymyr Zelensky for warning "foreign delegations not to come" to Russia's Victory Day parade.
"Russia should know that we are expecting three million artillery shells from our allies. Not only North Korea is capable of helping in the war, we have allies who are helping Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Key developments on May 3-4: * Zelensky rejects Putin’s truce proposal as 'theatrical,' backs 30-day ceasefire plan from US * US sanctions depend on whether Russia is 'behaving' on peace deal, Trump says * US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports * Ukrainian sea drones
The initiative has significantly boosted Ukraine's artillery capabilities, improving the shell ratio from 1-to-10 in Russia's favor to 1-to-2, Czech President Petr Pavel said.
Czech President Petr Pavel will host President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Prague Castle later in the afternoon, marking the Ukrainian leader's first visit to the country since July 2023.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3 that Ukraine's military destroyed a second Russian military aircraft within a 24-hour time period, having struck military airfield in occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that Russia could orchestrate provocations, including “arsons, explosions, or other actions,” and then attempt to blame Ukraine.
Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposal was not a serious attempt to end the war and reiterated Ukraine’s support for a U.S.-backed strategy calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the April 26 meeting, which took place during a visit to pay respects to the late Pope Francis, as “perhaps the shortest, but the most substantive.”
"Our long-range capabilities are a clear and effective guarantee of Ukraine’s security," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 2.
Key developments on May 1: * Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says, up 8% on March * Trump reportedly shifts tone on Putin after UK, France apply diplomatic pressure * US to bring Ukraine, Russia together over the next 100 days, Vance says * Ukrainian army retook 115
Luxury watches, a collection of 20th century military uniforms, and a very expensive piano — these are just a few of the intriguing things revealed in the mandatory annual declaration of financial assets submitted by Ukrainian MPs last month. The transparency system was established after the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution in light
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the minerals agreement — which sets up a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington — had been significantly revised during months of negotiations to ensure equal terms and benefits for both sides.
President Zelensky and Mark Carney also discussed "the necessity of continuing strong sanctions" against Russia as well as Kyiv's air defense needs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to return to his original proposal of an unconditional ceasefire as the starting point for peace talks.
"Look at Belarus — this summer, Russia is preparing something there under the guise of military exercises. This is how its new attacks usually start," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The comments come amid Trump’s increasing frustration with what he sees as Moscow’s refusal to end its war against Ukraine, as Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians persist.
U.S. President Donald Trump's promise to negotiate peace in Ukraine within his first 100 days in office collided with reality by April 30 — a slew of Russian missile and drone attacks during this time have spiked civilian death tolls, and a peace deal with Moscow that is still out
"Indeed, there are legal issues related to legitimacy, but in this case, starting the peaceful settlement process takes precedence, and the primary thing is to begin this negotiation process," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
I believe that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Ukrainian negotiating team have already concluded that the peace deal that U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to force through simply cannot be sold to the Ukrainian public. The Trump proposal appears to require Ukraine to accept the loss of
"Over the years of war and Russian attacks on our energy system, Ukraine has gained significant experience in overcoming any energy challenges, including blackouts," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Zelensky also praised Ukraine's foreign intelligence and security services for their measures "to counter Russian agent networks in Ukraine and saboteurs."
"We value human lives, not parades. That’s why we believe — and the world believes — that there is no reason to wait until May 8," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Key developments on April 28: * Putin announces 3-day truce on Victory Day's 80th anniversary * Trump says he believes Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea to Russia * Russia demands recognition of Crimea, other Ukrainian regions' annexation in any peace talks * Drones reportedly strike Russian plant producing parts for missiles, radars
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again sent ripples of concern around Ukraine, this time by saying he "thinks" President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to give up occupied Crimea as part of a peace deal to end Russia's full-scale invasion. Trump's comments, if taken at face value, suggest Zelensky
When asked whether he thought Zelensky was willing to cede the peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, Donald Trump responded: "I think so."
U.S. President Donald Trump on April 27 voiced frustration with Russia and urged President Vladimir Putin to stop attacks. "I was very disappointed that missiles were flying, [fired] by Russia."
"Since March 11, when America proposed a complete and unconditional ceasefire at talks in Saudi Arabia, the Russians have used almost 8,500 aerial bombs, almost 200 missiles of various types, and almost 3,000 Shaheds," Zelensky said on April 27.
Volodymyr Zelensky has been president of Ukraine since 2019. Born in Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city in central Ukraine, Zelensky was known as a media personality and actor before becoming Ukraine’s sixth president.
The 46-year-old’s transformation into a wartime leader saw his approval ratings rise from 37% before the full-scale invasion, to 90% in May 2022. His approval rating fell to 62% by the end of 2023.
Zelensky's five-year term officially ended in May 2024 but he remains president while martial law, enacted after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, is in place. A February 2024 poll indicated that almost 70% of Ukrainians agree that Zelensky should remain in office and elections should be postponed until martial law is lifted.
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