Yermak Departs as Zelensky's Chief of Staff Amid Anti-Corruption Probe
Andriy Yermak, who served as President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff and held significant influence within the Ukrainian government, concluded his tenure on Friday. His departure followed an anti-corruption investigation that involved a raid on his residence in Kyiv.
Background and Influence
Yermak, an intellectual property lawyer, met Zelensky in 2011. He was appointed chief of staff after contributing to Zelensky's successful presidential campaign in 2019. He was notably present during President Zelensky's "we are still here" speech in February 2022, marking the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Over time, Yermak became widely recognized as the second most powerful individual in Ukraine, with reported involvement in foreign policy formulation, personnel decisions, and aspects of battlefield strategy.
Widening Corruption Allegations
Public approval for Yermak reportedly saw a decline. The government has faced a series of corruption-related developments since July. President Zelensky initially proposed to place Ukraine's independent anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sapo), under direct government control, citing concerns over Russian interference. This proposal led to public demonstrations and opposition from the European Union, resulting in the president reversing the decision.
In the autumn, Nabu and Sapo released the findings of an investigation alleging that individuals within Zelensky's inner circle, including two ministers, a former deputy prime minister, and a former business partner, had siphoned $100 million from public energy projects. These allegations coincided with extensive Russian targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power disruptions.
Circumstances of Departure
Although Yermak was not named as a suspect in the investigation and denied any involvement in the alleged scheme, his departure occurred amidst these unfolding developments. Local media reported that investigators seized laptops and mobile phones from his apartment during their search. Prior to his departure, Yermak had represented Ukraine in recent talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Geneva concerning a US-drafted peace proposal.