Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has resigned following an anti-corruption raid on his home.
Yermak, 54, has been Zelensky’s closest adviser throughout Russia’s full-scale war, but has come under increasing pressure over a corruption scandal – even though he was not accused of any wrongdoing.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies raided his apartment in Kyiv’s government quarters early on Friday and Yermak said on social media that “from my side there is full co-operation”.
Zelensky had recently appointed his chief of staff to lead crucial negotiations in the coming days, with US President Trump spearheading a new drive to end the war with Russia.
“I’m grateful to Andriy that Ukraine’s position on the negotiating track was always presented as required: it was always a patriotic position,” Ukraine’s leader said in an address in Kyiv on Friday.
“But I want there to be no rumours and speculation. Regarding a new office head, tomorrow I’ll hold consultations with those who might lead this institution. When all the attention is focused on diplomacy and the defence in a war, inner strength is required.”
Yermak’s departure from Ukraine’s leading circle will come as a major blow for Zelensky, with US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll due to arrive in Kyiv by the end of this week as part of Trump’s draft peace plan. US officials are heading to Moscow next week.
Even hours before the raid on his flat, Yermak underlined the significant influence he had in Ukraine’s leadership, explaining his government’s position as it comes under US pressure to make territorial concessions to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
“As long as Zelensky is president, no-one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory,” Yermak told The Atlantic website.
Russia has demanded that Ukraine hand over territory it still controls in the eastern Donetsk region, including several strategically important cities.
“If they don’t withdraw, we’ll achieve this by force of arms,” Putin said on Thursday.
Yermak admitted during his interview he was under “enormous” pressure to stand down, adding “the case is fairly loud, and there needs to be an objective and independent investigation without political influence”.
