Zelensky’s chief of staff resigns as corruption scandal widens
Two national anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine said their searches targeted Yermak. Yermak’s spokesman, Oleksii Tkachuk, said anti-corruption agencies had not reported suspicion to Yermak, meaning he was not a suspect in the investigation. Tkachuk said Yermak was not told what the searches were about.
Yermak, a powerful figure in Ukraine and a key participant in negotiations with the United States, confirmed that his apartment in the presidential building in downtown Kiev, where checkpoints limit public access, was searched. Media reports stated that Yermak’s office was also searched, but investigators declined to comment on this matter.
Yermak (pictured far right) became a key representative in talks with the United States on ending the war in Ukraine.Credit: access point
It was not clear where Zelenskyy or Yermak were at the time of the morning raid.
“Researchers face no obstacles,” Yermak wrote on the messaging app Telegram. He said he was cooperating fully with them and that his lawyers were present.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office are Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs. They are currently leading a major investigation into a $100 million energy industry scandal involving senior Ukrainian officials that has made domestic headlines in recent weeks. It is not known whether the searches are related to the case.
The scandal caused further problems as Zelensky wanted continued Western support for Ukraine’s war effort and sought to ensure continued foreign funding. The European Union, which Ukraine is keen to join, has told Zelensky that he must fight corruption.
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Earlier this month, Zelensky faced an unprecedented outcry from his own lawmakers after investigators released details of their energy sector investigation.
Although Yermak has not been charged with any crime, some senior lawmakers in Zelensky’s party have said Yermak should take responsibility for the debacle to restore public trust. Some said that if Zelensky did not fire him, the party could split and threaten the president’s parliamentary majority. But Zelensky challenged them.
Zelensky called on Ukrainians to unite and “stop political games” in the face of US pressure to reach an agreement with Russia.
Yermak met Zelensky more than 15 years ago when he was a lawyer entering the TV production business and Zelensky was a famous Ukrainian comedian and actor.
He oversaw foreign affairs as part of Zelenskyy’s first presidential team and was promoted to chief of staff in February 2020.
Yermak has accompanied Zelenskyy on all his foreign trips since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Domestically, officials describe Yermak as Zelenskyy’s caretaker, and he is believed to have selected several senior government appointees.
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