Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who had become entangled in a widening corruption investigation that has shaken the wartime government.
Major Government Shakeup
In a video statement posted on Telegram, President Zelenskyy confirmed that Andriy Yermak stepped down from his position as head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The president revealed he would hold consultations on Saturday with potential candidates to replace Yermak, signaling a significant reorganization of his administration.
"There will be a reboot of the Office of the President of Ukraine," Zelenskyy declared in his video address. He expressed gratitude to Yermak for his service, particularly noting his role in representing Ukraine's position in negotiation tracks, describing it as "always a patriotic position."
Anti-Corruption Investigation Expands
The resignation followed dramatic developments early Friday when anti-graft investigators conducted a search of Yermak's apartment. While authorities provided no official explanation for the raid, it occurred as part of a broadening probe that has already implicated several ministers and one of Zelenskyy's former business partners.
Yermak, who served as Zelenskyy's lead negotiator in peace talks, stated he was cooperating fully with the investigation. The probe represents the latest chapter in Zelenskyy's complicated relationship with anti-corruption efforts since coming to power in 2019 with promises to eliminate the systemic corruption that has plagued Ukraine for decades.
Western Pressure and Internal Tensions
The departure of Zelenskyy's close ally highlights the growing standoff between the president's inner circle and Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, institutions that were established under pressure from Western allies who provide crucial military and financial support.
This political crisis emerges at a particularly challenging time for Ukraine's leadership. President Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's push to end the war through a peace plan that could demand significant concessions from Ukraine. Meanwhile, Western donor fatigue threatens to create shortages of weapons and funding essential for Ukraine's resistance against Russian forces.
The investigation gained momentum after Zelenskyy's unsuccessful attempt in July to gain control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). That move triggered Ukraine's largest street protests since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and drew condemnation from international partners.
In response, the anti-corruption agencies launched a probe targeting Zelenskyy's allies, alleging they orchestrated an embezzlement scheme involving kickbacks from a state-run energy company critical to Ukraine's wartime operations. The corruption drive has already led to the dismissal of two ministers and implicated former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov as well as Zelenskyy's longtime associate Timur Mindich.
