Russia Corruption scandal: Selensky's office chief resigns
In Ukraine, the head of the president's office, Andriy Yermak, has resigned after anti-corruption investigators searched his home. Jermak had signed a letter of resignation, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video message. The head of state thanked Jermak and announced a reorganization of the president's office. "I want there to be no rumors or speculation," the head of state emphasized. He will hold talks with potential successors on Saturday.
28.11.2025, 17:17
SDA
Until the announcement of his resignation, Zelensky had remained silent about the latest developments in the scandal, which is why his hesitation was criticized on Friday. The country, which has been defending itself against Russia's war of aggression for more than three and a half years, has been rocked for weeks by a bribery scandal that reaches all the way into the state leadership.
Yermak was Zelenskyi's most important man in Kiev
Jermak had headed the presidential office since February 2020 and was previously considered the second most powerful man in Ukraine. His forced departure is also seen by observers as a hard blow for Zelensky, who has lost a long-time confidant. The loyalty of the parliamentary faction, on which Zelensky's power in the parliamentary-presidential republic is based, could now also be called into question.
In his video message, Zelensky warned of external pressure and conflict within Ukraine. "If we lose our unity, then we risk losing everything. Ourselves, Ukraine, our future," he said.
No details yet on investigations
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) announced a raid on Jermak's apartment early this morning. The 54-year-old is considered to be Zelensky's right-hand man and an influential string-puller. He himself confirmed the investigations against him on his Telegram channel.
NABU and SAP did not initially provide any information about the reason for the investigation. "Details will follow later," they said in a statement. Photos on the "Ukrajinska Pravda" internet portal showed how ten NABU and SAP employees entered the government district, which was difficult to access due to the war.
Central figure in peace negotiations
Jermak had previously been the central figure in the ongoing negotiations with the US for an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. He led the Ukrainian negotiating team. His appointment as head of the delegation last week had caused astonishment among political observers in Kiev because, like Selensky, he had found himself in need of an explanation in the corruption scandal. It is unclear who will now take on this role.
Most recently, former Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov was also summoned by corruption investigators. The Secretary of the National Security Council denies all allegations. The 43-year-old is also one of Kiev's main negotiators in the talks on Trump's peace initiative.
Possible conflict with the anti-corruption authorities
Just over two weeks ago, NABU and SAP published recorded conversations about bribe payments in the energy sector. Several arrests were made. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko were dismissed. The main suspect and confidant of President Zelenskyi, Tymur Mindich, was able to flee the country. He is a wanted man. Corruption investigators were already pointing to bribery in the arms sector at the time.
In July, President Selensky tried to bring NABU and SAP under his control. At that time, accusations were already being made against Jermak that the hastily passed amendment to the law had been introduced in parliament on his initiative. The aim was to prevent the impending proceedings against Mindich and former deputy head of government Olexiy Chernyshov, who is close to Zelensky, the media reported. Following street protests and an intervention by the European Union, Zelenskyi was forced to amend the law and restore the previous situation.
The opposition MP Olexij Hontscharenko said that the investigations could also be a response to the fact that Yermak is said to have ordered the NABU and SAP investigators to be monitored. He also suspected abuse of office, influence peddling and political persecution. "All the lawyers in the country won't help," wrote Honcharenko on Telegram.
Are the investigations influencing the peace talks?
The investigations into the corruption scandal could also have an impact on Ukraine's talks with the USA. According to media reports, President Zelenskyi appointed Yermak as chief negotiator at a meeting in Geneva on Sunday in order to take him out of the line of fire. Some commentators, however, had expected him to be dismissed.
In an interview, Yermak rejected the territorial cessions in the Donbass demanded by Russia for a ceasefire. "As long as Zelensky is president, no one should expect us to give up territories. He will not cede any territories," he told The Atlantic.
USA wants to persuade Ukraine to end the war
The day before, Yermak had announced new talks with the US side for the end of the week. A US delegation led by Secretary of State Daniel Driscoll is expected to arrive.
Russia is insisting that the Ukrainian troops withdraw completely from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in return for a ceasefire. With regard to the raid on Jermak, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said that the corruption scandal in Ukraine was spreading, with negative consequences for the political system in Kiev.
Since President Donald Trump took office, the USA has been trying to bring an end to the Russian war against Ukraine, which has been going on since February 2022. Last week, Washington presented a 28-point peace plan and urged Kiev to accept it. The Ukrainian negotiating delegation led by Yermak made changes to the plan last Sunday with the support of European allies and presented them to the USA.
Despite a number of new authorities created since the Western coup in 2014 to combat bribery, Ukraine is still considered one of the most corrupt states in Europe. As an EU accession candidate, the country has committed to reforms.
