Kyiv, Ukraine
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A significant political figure in Ukraine, closely associated with President Volodymyr Zelensky, has stepped down, this occurring mere hours after his residence was searched by anti-graft authorities—a substantial internal challenge precisely when Kyiv is encountering renewed pressure from the US to accept a settlement to conclude the conflict with Russia.
Andriy Yermak, officially the head of the presidential administration, has frequently been regarded as the second most influential person in Ukraine. He has been the lead negotiator for the Ukrainian side in recent discussions held in Geneva with Washington.
Zelensky’s announcement on Friday regarding Yermak’s resignation introduces complications for Kyiv’s posture heading into vital peace dialogue with the United States.
“It is imperative that any questions regarding Ukraine today are eliminated. Consequently, we are enacting the following internal measures. Firstly, there will be a restructuring within the Office of the President of Ukraine. The head of this office, Andriy Yermak, has submitted his resignation,” Zelensky stated during his regular televised address.
Yermak had yet to release an official public statement. Earlier on Friday, he confirmed the raid was underway, asserting via Telegram that he was “fully complying” with the authorities involved.
“The investigating officers are meeting absolutely no resistance. They have been afforded unrestricted entry to the premises, and my legal counsel is present, coordinating with law enforcement personnel,” he commented.
Yermak pictured alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a high-level summit in Warsaw, Poland, on January 15, 2025.
Yermak pictured alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a high-level summit in Warsaw, Poland, on January 15, 2025. Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images/File
Both of Ukraine’s primary anti-corruption institutions, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), participated in the searches, according to a joint announcement released by the agencies on Friday.
The official notification did not specify the grounds for the searches, yet this action follows closely on the heels of a major probe initiated by the two bodies two weeks prior, targeting an alleged kickback scheme related to Ukraine’s essential energy infrastructure.
This scandal has already led to the removal of two of Zelensky’s cabinet ministers and implicated a former associate from his background in the entertainment sector.
However, this recent development is particularly untimely for Zelensky, given Yermak’s recent promotion to lead Ukraine’s negotiating contingent.
It remains uncertain who will assume Yermak’s role in the upcoming negotiation sessions, which are anticipated within the next few days. When detailing the resignation, Zelensky noted his intention to consult with potential candidates for the chief of staff position on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attending a press briefing in Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 31.
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The Ukrainian leader indicated that the delegation set to engage with the US team will comprise the Chief of the General Staff, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Ukraine’s intelligence services.
Discussions with the United States have proven challenging. Just last week, the administration under former President Trump introduced a 28-point proposal for peace that largely mirrored Russia’s extensive demands, including stipulations that Ukraine relinquish territory, downsize its military, and be barred from NATO membership.
This initial peace framework met strong opposition from Ukrainian and European officials, and Yermak’s negotiating group succeeded in persuading the US to amend its terms.
Additional discussions are slated for the coming days. Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned on Thursday his expectation of a US diplomatic contingent arriving in Moscow early next week, while Zelensky confirmed that the Ukrainian side was also scheduled to meet with the Americans.
Russia has indicated it is observing the unfolding events following Yermak’s departure.
“What we are observing is the continuous and rapid escalation of the corruption scandal and the resulting political instability, which intensifies daily. It is becoming increasingly difficult to forecast future developments,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed CNN on Friday.
“We are monitoring the situation closely, while naturally pursuing our objectives by continuing the special military operation and remaining amenable to negotiations, while preparing for meetings with (US envoy Steve) Witkoff,” Peskov further stated.
Although some American officials, including former President Donald Trump, have suggested significant forward movement this week, the prospect of a quick resolution appears dim, especially after Putin signaled on Thursday his unwillingness to compromise on his maximalist conditions.
Concerns Regarding Graft
Ukraine has historically been viewed as one of Europe’s most corrupt nations, presenting a significant impediment to its ambition of joining the European Union.
The EU has been explicit with Kyiv: substantial anti-graft reforms are mandatory for membership consideration, and the administration under President Biden also pressed the Ukrainian government in 2023 to intensify its efforts against deep-seated corruption.
Tackling pervasive governmental corruption was also the cornerstone of Zelensky’s campaign platform leading up to the 2019 election. As a former entertainer who portrayed Ukraine’s president in a popular television series, Zelensky possessed no prior political experience before his victory—yet he successfully channeled the electorate’s widespread frustration on this very issue.
Throughout the war, Zelensky has dismissed numerous high-ranking Ukrainian officials amidst accusations of corruption, and his government has initiated anti-graft measures, including the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
International bodies, such as the EU, the United Nations, and the G7 group of major industrial economies, have previously commended Zelensky’s administration for its anti-corruption initiatives, highlighting the fact that even the nation’s highest-ranking officials are no longer immune to investigation by law enforcement.
When questioned about these latest events on Friday, Paula Pinho, the spokesperson for the European Commission, remarked that the ongoing investigations “demonstrate that Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies are executing their duties.”
However, Zelensky’s decision earlier this year to fast-track legislation that placed the oversight of NABU and SAPO under the prosecutor general—a politically designated role—was widely perceived as a significant error in judgment.
Criticism from domestic and international anti-corruption watchdogs, alongside the EU, met this move, triggering Ukraine’s first anti-government demonstrations since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Public discontent compelled Zelensky to quickly reverse course and reinstate the independence of these agencies.
Nevertheless, that incident, compounded by the recent allegations leveled against several of Zelensky’s closest associates—including his former business partner Timur Mindich, former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, and now Yermak—is imposing escalating strain on the Ukrainian leader during a period marked by arduous negotiations with both the US and Russia.
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