US President Donald Trump stated that the recent corruption scandal, dubbed "Mindichgate", is severely harming Ukraine.
He made the comments while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, according to Hvylya, citing CNN.
Trump offered an optimistic assessment of the US-Ukraine negotiations in Florida but also pointed to "some complicated problems" in Ukraine related to corruption.
Despite this, he said there are "good chances" for concluding an agreement to end the war.
"They have problems with corruption, and that doesn't help. Does it hinder peace talks? I've been saying this for three years, right? Didn't I say it? I've been saying it for three years, so I was significantly ahead of everyone. But I think there is a good chance to reach an agreement", the US leader said.
These comments came just days after former Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak resigned following searches at his home.
Trump also noted that he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff following their talks with Ukrainian officials on Sunday.
"I spoke with them, and they are working well. Ukraine has some complicated problems, but I think Russia would like to see this end," he said during the trip from Florida to Washington.
In addition, the White House chief stated that he has no final deadline for concluding an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, despite previous media reports about possible timelines.
"I don't have a deadline. It's just, you know, the deadline for me is when it's all over," he told reporters.
According to Trump, the main goal is ending the hostilities because, in his opinion, "everyone is tired of fighting" and both sides are losing too many people.
We previously reported that the Ukrainian-American talks in Florida had concluded. The dialogue between the delegations was "tough but very constructive," with the sides discussing "the most sensitive issues" for ending the war.