Zelenskyy allegedly sought FBI protection from corruption probes, report says

Confidential meetings between Ukrainian negotiators and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have caused concern among Western officials.

According to a report by The Washington Post, citing sources familiar with the matter, the Kyiv administration’s diplomatic activities in Washington have raised a wide range of questions, from peace negotiations to corruption investigations.

Kyiv’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, has visited the US three times in recent weeks, meeting with President Donald Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

In addition to these contacts, Umerov also held behind-the-scenes meetings with FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

Peace plan process could accelerate

Some unnamed Western officials indicated that the meetings might be aimed at accelerating Kyiv’s process of accepting the peace roadmap prepared by the Trump administration.

According to leaked documents, the draft text stipulates that Ukraine must abandon its goal of NATO membership, end its territorial claims, and limit its army to 600,000 soldiers.

The Kyiv administration and its European supporters argue that these conditions are favorable to Russia.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Washington, Olga Stefanishyna, confirmed the meetings with the FBI but declined to provide details about their content.

Sources indicated that the secrecy surrounding the true purpose of the meetings has “caused alarm” among parties not included in the negotiations.

Seeking a shield against corruption investigations

Another claim regarding the content of the meetings concerns the Kyiv administration’s domestic legal issues.

Some sources suggested that Umerov and his team may have sought help from the FBI to seek protection from corruption charges related to a bribery scandal involving Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner circle and a $100 million bribery network in the energy sector.

During the period when one of Zelenskyy’s closest aides, Andriy Yermak, and two ministers were forced to resign, a close business associate of the Ukrainian leader fled the country before being apprehended.

The report noted that speculation is growing that Rustem Umerov could also face legal scrutiny.

Trump continues election pressure

An FBI official confirmed to the newspaper that the topic of corruption was discussed during the meetings but denied allegations that the talks were inappropriate.

An unnamed White House official defended the meetings, stating that US authorities are in regular contact with their foreign counterparts and that the discussions took place within normal procedures.

Earlier in the week, Donald Trump criticized widespread corruption in Ukraine and called on Zelenskyy, whose term expired a year ago, to hold new elections.

Zelenskyy, who has refused to hold elections citing martial law, recently stated that elections could be held if Western supporters provide security guarantees.

The Russian administration, meanwhile, continues to argue that Zelenskyy is not a legitimate leader.

Aide to the President of Russia, Yuri Ushakov, emphasized that Zelenskyy’s sudden interest in elections is a tactic to secure a ceasefire, whereas Moscow favors a permanent peace agreement over a temporary truce.