Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, following a raid by anti-corruption agencies on Yermak’s residence in Kyiv. Although Yermak has been a key advisor to Zelensky during the ongoing war with Russia, he faced increased scrutiny related to a corruption scandal, despite not being accused of any misconduct.
The raid on Yermak’s apartment took place early on Friday, and Yermak confirmed through social media that he would fully cooperate with the investigation. Recently, Zelensky appointed Yermak to lead essential negotiations, particularly as discussions with U.S. officials, including President Trump, were set to intensify.
In his address, Zelensky expressed gratitude for Yermak’s contributions to Ukraine’s negotiating stance, emphasizing its patriotic nature. He also stated intentions to consult on potential candidates to fill the chief of staff position, underlining the need for strong leadership amid wartime diplomacy and defense efforts.
Yermak’s departure is seen as significant for Zelensky, especially with U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll scheduled to visit Kyiv later this week as part of peace discussions. Yermak had previously emphasized the government’s firm stance against ceding territory to Russia, reiterating that, under Zelensky’s leadership, Ukraine would not agree to territorial concessions.
In an interview, Yermak acknowledged facing considerable pressure to resign and called for an objective investigation into the claims against him, without political interference. Concurrently, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated demands for Ukrainian territory in the eastern Donetsk region, indicating that military force would be employed if Ukraine did not comply.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg9nd2wddno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss