Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced on Friday that his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has tendered his resignation in the midst of a corruption scandal. Anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine conducted a search at Yermak’s residence on Friday morning, with Yermak confirming his full cooperation with the investigators.
Although Yermak has not been formally identified as a criminal suspect, calls for his removal have been made by opposition lawmakers and some members within Zelenskyy’s party amidst Ukraine’s most severe political crisis during wartime. The timing of Yermak’s departure, at the age of 54, is critical for Kyiv, facing pressure from the U.S. to negotiate with Moscow to halt the conflict with Russia, while lacking the military capability to repel Russian forces.
Addressing the nation in a video message, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to avoiding mistakes that could play into Russia’s hands. The country has been embroiled in a scandal involving an alleged scheme to control contracts at a state-owned nuclear firm, amounting to millions of dollars in kickbacks and laundered funds, as Ukraine endeavors to shield its energy infrastructure from Russian attacks.
Earlier this month, both German Galushchenko and Svitlana Hrynchuk, former justice and energy ministers respectively, resigned from their positions amidst the corruption scandal, each denying any wrongdoing. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the searches at Yermak’s residence were authorized and linked to an ongoing investigation.
Yermak, a key liaison with the United States, has played a crucial role as Russian forces advance along various fronts. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to considering a leaked 28-point U.S. peace plan as a foundation for future agreements, demanding Kyiv to withdraw troops from eastern territories before ceasing hostilities.
Despite Yermak’s statement to The Atlantic that Ukraine will not relinquish territory, the peace plan includes provisions for downsizing the Ukrainian military and abandoning aspirations to join NATO permanently. With a strong presence in both diplomatic circles and frontline settings, Yermak has been a prominent figure alongside Zelenskyy since their initial acquaintance in the early 2010s.
Ukraine, a country historically ranking low in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, faces ongoing challenges related to corruption, despite progress in judicial autonomy and anti-corruption efforts. The nation’s standing at 105th out of 180 countries in the latest index highlights persistent issues with transparency, dissent suppression, and resource diversion.
The resignation of Andriy Yermak underscores the tumultuous political climate in Ukraine, with ongoing efforts to combat corruption while navigating external pressures in the midst of a precarious security situation.