Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, penned a letter to Zelensky in September 2024, urging the Ukrainian leader to dismiss Markarova from her position in Washington after Zelensky visited an ammunition plant in former President Joe Biden’s hometown.

"None of us really know what Zelenskyy is like operating solo, because he never has," one expert told NBC News.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a US plan to end the war in Ukraine could “form the basis for future agreements” but renewed threats to seize more territory by force unless Kyiv withdraws.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged U.S. proposals to end the war in Ukraine as a starting point for talks.