Zelensky Calls for ‘Internal Strength’ as Ukraine Prepares for US-Led Peace Negotiations

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that another round of negotiations with the US to secure an end to Russia’s war will take place “soon” and appealed to Ukrainians not to “lose our unity.”

Zelensky said that Finnish President Alexander Stubb had briefed him on what Russia had “formally and informally” conveyed regarding the Kremlin’s conditions for a peace deal, and that Ukrainian preparations for negotiations with the US to “ensure a dignified peace” have begun.

“Talks will take place soon with our representatives present – including the chief of the General Staff, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and our intelligence,” he said.

In the same address, Zelensky repeatedly called for “internal strength” in the face of Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

Earlier on Friday, Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak resigned in the wake of reports that anti-corruption authorities had raided his home – reportedly in connection with an anti-graft investigation into large-scale fraud in Ukraine’s energy sector which has already seen the resignations of the Minister of Energy and Minister of Justice. Yermak has not been charged.

Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Yermak for “always representing Ukraine on the negotiation track exactly as it should be represented,” but said that he wanted to eliminate any rumors and speculation.

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Zelensky also said that he now expects the cabinet, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, to press on with adopting the state budget for 2026 and filling the positions left vacant by ministerial resignations, and announced that he had commissioned reports on Ukraine’s law enforcement and personnel distribution in its armed forces.

“Our work goes on. Our struggle goes on. We have no right to fall short, no right to retreat or turn on one another. If we lose our unity, we risk losing everything – ourselves, Ukraine, and our future,” the president said.