FILE - In this file photo taken on Aug. 29, 2019, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to newly elected Ukrainian parliament deputies during parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine. Zelenskiy, the comedian elected Ukraineâs leader in April, took office pledging to focus on ending the deadly separatist fighting in the countryâs east, fomented by Russia. But now, barely 100 days in power, he finds himself at the center of a political furor involving the United States, Ukraineâs friend and backer. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
The Associated Press
MOSCOW (AP) - Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the comedian elected Ukraine's leader in April, took office pledging to focus on ending the deadly separatist fighting in the country's east, fomented by Russia.
But now, barely 100 days in power, he finds himself at the center of a political furor involving the United States, Ukraine's friend and backer.
It is a delicate position for Zelenskiy. The 41-year-old political novice is trying to deal simultaneously with two powerful figures with outsize influence over his country's future: President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Trump is suspected of pressuring Zelenskiy over the summer to investigate political rival Joe Biden's family at the same time Trump was withholding nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong.
Zelenskiy is walking a thin line. He has declined to comment on the reports.
FILE - In this file photo taken on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy address the 16th Yalta European Strategy (YES) annual meeting entitled "Happiness Now. New Approaches for a World in Crisis" at the Mystetsky Arsenal Art Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. Barely 100 days into his tenure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy finds himself in an unexpected position _ having to strike a balancing act with Ukraine's staunch ally, the United States. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this file photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, right, greets Ukrainian prisoner filmmaker Oleg Sentsov upon his arrival at Boryspil airport, outside Kyiv, Ukraine. Barely 100 days into his tenure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy finds himself in an unexpected position - having to strike a balancing act with Ukraine's staunch ally, the United States. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE In this file photo taken on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden addresses the Ukraine Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's first 100 days in power were marked by his efforts to advance a peaceful solution to the armed conflict in the country's east, fomented by Russia. Now, he is caught up in a political furor involving the United States, Ukraine's ally and backer. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov, Pool, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this file photo taken on Sept. 1, 2019, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, left, shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in Warsaw, Poland. Zelenskiy, the comedian elected Ukraineâs leader in April, took office pledging to focus on ending the deadly separatist fighting in the countryâs east, fomented by Russia. But now, barely 100 days in power, he finds himself at the center of a political furor involving the United States, Ukraineâs friend and backer. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this file photo taken on Aug. 28, 2019, John Bolton, U.S. National Security Advisor, right, is welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's first 100 days in power were marked by his efforts to advance a peaceful solution to the armed conflict in the country's east, fomented by Russia. Now, he is caught up in a political furor involving the United States, Ukraine's ally and backer. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP, File)
The Associated Press