President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday dismissed his chief adviser Andriy Yermak amid an unfolding anti-corruption investigation. Politico reported.
Yermak had for years been at the president’s side as the second most influential person in Kyiv and a key representative in negotiations with Ukraine’s Western allies during the defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
"I am grateful to Andriy for always presenting the Ukrainian position on the negotiation track exactly as it should be. It was always a patriotic position. But I want there to be no rumors and speculation."
– Zelensky said.
Soon after, the president published a decree dismissing Yermak a few hours after Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency conducted a search at the senior official’s residence.
Searches by NABU
"The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are conducting investigative searches in the premises of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine."
– NABU reported on Facebook.
Earlier this month Ukrainian MPs and oversight bodies called on Zelensky to dismiss Yermak amid an energy corruption scandal worth $100 million being investigated by NABU. One of the president’s business partners, who fled the country, is accused of being the main organizer of the scheme.
"The investigative actions are authorized and are being carried out as part of the ongoing investigation."
– the bureau added regarding the searches at Yermak’s, promising to provide more details soon.
Yermak confirmed the searches.
"Today NABU and SAPO are indeed carrying out procedural actions in my home. The investigators face no obstacles. They have been given full access to the apartment, my lawyers are on site and are interacting with law enforcement."
– he wrote on Telegram.
Attempts to weaken anti-corruption bodies
This summer the Zelensky Office and parliament in Kyiv sought to strip NABU and SAPO of their independence and place them under a politically appointed prosecutor general.
The move, which coincided with signs that oversight bodies had targeted the president’s inner circle, sparked the first large anti-government street protests since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. After the EU also called for the decision to be reviewed, Zelensky changed course.
Major corruption scandal
Two weeks ago anti-corruption agencies dismantled a criminal organization composed of current and former energy officials, a well-known businessman, government ministers and a former deputy prime minister.
The investigation has grown into the most damaging domestic scandal of Zelensky’s time in office. It comes amid relentless Russian bombardment and pressure from the United States on Kyiv to agree to a potentially unfavorable peace deal with the Kremlin.
Further talks
On Friday evening Zelensky said Ukraine continues preparing for talks with the United States, and it will be represented by the Chief of the General Staff, representatives of the Foreign Ministry and intelligence services.
