Top Ukrainian Official Resigns Amid Corruption Probe
In a significant political development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accepted the resignation of his powerful chief of staff, Andrii Yermak. This decision came just hours after anti-corruption investigators conducted searches at Yermak's residence located within the presidential compound in Kyiv.
President Zelenskyy officially confirmed the resignation on Friday and announced he would consider a replacement candidate on Saturday, according to Reuters reports.
Anti-Corruption Investigation Details
The raid was executed by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in coordination with the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Authorities confirmed the searches were legally authorized but maintained secrecy regarding the specific details of their investigation.
Andrii Yermak, who served as Zelenskyy's long-time confidante and Ukraine's lead negotiator in peace talks with Russia and the United States, stated that investigators "are facing no obstacles" and emphasized his full cooperation with the probe, as reported by AP.
His spokesperson, Oleksii Tkachuk, clarified that Yermak had not received any formal notice of suspicion and remained unaware of the specific reasons behind the searches. Media sources indicated that Yermak's office was also examined during the operation, though investigative agencies declined to comment on these reports.
Political Fallout and US Pressure
This development occurs amid intense pressure from the United States for Kyiv to reach a settlement nearly four years into Russia's ongoing invasion. The investigation follows a comprehensive probe into an alleged $100 million corruption scandal within Ukraine's energy sector that has dominated domestic news coverage.
NABU had previously disclosed that the case involves high-ranking officials and focuses on money laundering from state contracts, according to background information provided by the bureau.
Although Yermak hasn't been formally accused of any wrongdoing, the scandal has significantly shaken Zelenskyy's government and generated substantial anger within his political party. Several senior lawmakers argued that Yermak should assume responsibility to help restore public trust, as per AP reports.
Despite the political turmoil, President Zelenskyy urged Ukrainian citizens to "stop the political games," warning that "Russia very much wants Ukraine to make mistakes" during this critical period.
Broader Impact and Yermak's Legacy
Opposition parties had been demanding Yermak's dismissal, asserting that peace negotiations "cannot depend on the personal vulnerabilities and tarnished reputation of politicians involved in a corruption scandal."
The extensive investigation has already resulted in the resignations of two government ministers and increased scrutiny of figures associated with Yermak, including former deputies investigated for financial misconduct. Multiple officials considered close to Yermak—including the current prime minister and prosecutor general—have previously been connected to anti-graft inquiries.
The 54-year-old Yermak first met Zelenskyy more than 15 years ago while working as a lawyer in film production. He later joined Zelenskyy's presidential team as a foreign policy adviser and received appointment as chief of staff in 2020. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Yermak had accompanied Zelenskyy on every foreign trip and had emerged as one of the most influential figures in Kyiv's political landscape.
