Ukraine peace negotiator quits after anti-graft raid
Andriy Yermak, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s powerful private secretary who headed Ukraine’s negotiating team in fraught US-backed peace talks, resigned hours after anti-corruption agents searched his home.
A major investigation into high-level corruption at a time when Ukraine is fighting Russia for its survival has sparked public outrage and thrown its leadership into crisis as Washington steps up pressure on Kiev to reach a deal.
Yermak was leading Ukraine’s efforts to push back against terms proposed by the United States that would meet most of Moscow’s territorial and security demands. Zelenskiy said he would consider replacing him with someone else on Saturday.
“Russia wants Ukraine to make mistakes. We will not make any mistakes,” Zelenskiy said in a video speech on Friday. he said and called for more unity.
“Our work continues. Our struggle continues.”
Yermak had been a close friend of Zelenskiy since the president’s days as a TV comedian and helped guide his successful outsider 2019 election campaign.
Since then, the 54-year-old has positioned himself as the chief decision-maker and has faced criticism both at home and abroad as an unelected adviser with great power.
Yermak confirmed that his apartment was searched and said he was cooperating. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office did not specify which investigation the searches were linked to.
The two agencies this month announced a sweeping investigation into an alleged $100 million kickback scheme involving former senior officials at the state atomic energy company and a former business associate of Zelenskiy.
Yermak has not been named as a suspect, but activists, opposition lawmakers and even some in Zelenskiy’s own Servant of the People party have called for his removal, saying his presence jeopardizes Ukraine’s bargaining power.
The party’s lawmaker, Mykyta Poturayev, who has called for an overhaul of both the presidential office and the government, said Yermak’s resignation came at a dangerous time but was necessary.
“The potential dangers of Andriy Yermak remaining in office outweighed these risks,” he said.
The US push for a solution comes as Russia begins to advance along parts of the front line, which has mostly advanced painfully slowly and with great loss of life since sending troops into Ukraine in 2022.
Moscow says its troops are close to capturing the eastern city of Pokrovsk, which would be their biggest prize in almost two years.
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the 28-point US plan leaked last week could be “a basis for future agreements.” But before it stopped fighting, Moscow demanded that Kiev give up some strategic eastern territory claimed by Russia.
Progress in the fight against corruption is also a key element of Kiev’s bid for European Union membership, which Ukrainian officials see as critical to breaking out of Russia’s orbit.
Two anti-corruption organizations stepped up their campaigns amid Russia’s invasion but said they faced pressure from vested interests.
Zelenskiy briefly regained independence last July but reversed course after public outcry and criticism from foreign partners.
