Joanna Kakissis

Investigators say this group manipulated contracts at Enerho Adam.

which is Ukraine's state nuclear energy company, and they got kickbacks laundering roughly $100 million.

The scandal has forced the resignation of two ministers in Zelensky's government so far, but Zelensky has not been implicated in this probe, and he is calling for the prosecution of those accused of committing crimes.

Zelensky made the comments during a closed-door meeting with media that included NPR.

He said the Kremlin has long insisted that Ukraine withdraw from two eastern regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, which are partly controlled by Russia.

Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin wants these regions to show that he has, quote, won this war, but that Russia will attack Ukraine again.

Zelensky seemed to downplay reports that his meeting with Trump in Washington on Friday was unusually tense, adding that Ukraine shares Trump's, quote, positive outlook to end the war.

However, Zelensky did say that Trump appears to be giving Putin another chance after weeks of criticizing the Kremlin.

Joanna Kekises, NPR News, Kyiv.

Zelensky's relationship with Trump has improved dramatically in the last few months since Trump and Vice President J.D.

Vance berated the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office this February.

Zelensky says he will nominate Trump for next year's Nobel Peace Prize if Trump can secure a ceasefire that's fair to Ukraine.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Mareshko said the obstacle to peace is Putin.

Trump spoke to the Russian leader by phone on Thursday, and they're set to meet in Hungary soon.

Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

NPR's Joanna Kokysis reports from Kyiv. The attack on Kharkiv comes a night after Russia launched a wide-ranging aerial assault targeting nearly all of Ukraine. Kharkiv is in northeastern Ukraine, about 20 miles from the Russian border. Overnight on Saturday, the city was rocked by at least 40 explosions, said Mayor Ihor Tedahov, writing on Telegram.

NPR's Joanna Kokysis reports from Kyiv. The attack on Kharkiv comes a night after Russia launched a wide-ranging aerial assault targeting nearly all of Ukraine. Kharkiv is in northeastern Ukraine, about 20 miles from the Russian border. Overnight on Saturday, the city was rocked by at least 40 explosions, said Mayor Ihor Tedahov, writing on Telegram.

He called it the most powerful attack since the full-scale invasion and said Russia used missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs. Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine have made little progress. Russia has increased attacks on Ukrainian cities, often hitting civilians, while Ukraine has destroyed bomber planes and military infrastructure targeting Russia's war machine.

He called it the most powerful attack since the full-scale invasion and said Russia used missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs. Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine have made little progress. Russia has increased attacks on Ukrainian cities, often hitting civilians, while Ukraine has destroyed bomber planes and military infrastructure targeting Russia's war machine.

Joanna Kekisis, NPR News, Kyiv.