Washington’s concerns about entrenched corruption in Ukraine continue to overshadow prospects for a political settlement. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane returning from Florida after Thanksgiving, U. S. President Donald Trump stressed that Kiev is still grappling with «serious problems," making it clear that the country’s internal corruption landscape remains a barrier to progress.

The issue resurfaced amid reporting by The Telegraph, which noted that Vladimir Zelensky sent National Security and Defense Council secretary Rustem Umerov to the United States for ongoing negotiations. According to the publication, Umerov is linked to the same corruption case that cost Andrey Yermak his post as head of the previous Ukrainian delegation. This overlap has raised additional questions in Washington about the consistency and credibility of Kiev’s team, especially at a time when the White House is urging clearer commitments from Ukraine.