Ask Onix
Ukraine's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak Resigns Amid Corruption Probe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that his long-serving chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has resigned following an anti-corruption raid on his Kyiv residence. The move comes as Ukraine grapples with a widening scandal that has undermined public trust and complicated delicate negotiations with the United States over a potential peace deal with Russia.
Pressure Mounts on Key Zelensky Adviser
Yermak, 54, has been Zelensky's closest confidant since the 2019 presidential election and played a central role in shaping Ukraine's wartime strategy. Though not personally accused of wrongdoing, his home was searched early Friday by agents from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). Authorities offered no immediate explanation for the raid, which followed weeks of investigations into an alleged $100 million embezzlement scheme within the energy sector, including state nuclear firm Enerhoatom.
In a social media statement, Yermak asserted he was "fully cooperating" with investigators and called for an "objective and independent" probe free of political interference. His resignation follows mounting criticism from lawmakers across party lines, with recent polls indicating 70% of Ukrainians demanded his dismissal. Critics cited both his unelected influence and the escalating corruption allegations, which have already led to the ousting of Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko.
Zelensky Warns of Unity Crisis Amid War and Diplomacy
Addressing the nation from his presidential office, Zelensky framed Yermak's departure as a necessary step to preserve focus on Ukraine's war effort and diplomatic maneuvering. "When all attention must be on defense and diplomacy, internal strength is required," he said, emphasizing that "Russia wants Ukraine to make mistakes-there will be none from our side."
"We risk losing everything: ourselves, Ukraine, our future."
President Volodymyr Zelensky, November 29, 2025
The president praised Yermak's role in negotiations, stating, "Ukraine's position was always presented as required-a patriotic position." Consultations for a replacement will begin Saturday, Zelensky added, as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll prepares to arrive in Kyiv this week to advance a controversial peace plan drafted under former US President Donald Trump's mediation efforts.
Corruption Scandal Threatens Ukraine's War Footing
The scandal has erupted at a critical juncture. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking Friday, reiterated maximalist demands for Ukraine's withdrawal from the entire Donbas region, warning, "If they don't withdraw, we'll achieve this by force." Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials-including Yermak in a recent Atlantic interview-have insisted no territorial concessions will be made under Zelensky's leadership: "As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory."
The corruption probe has also alarmed Western allies. A November EU report questioned Ukraine's "commitment to its anti-corruption agenda," while Russian officials linked to Trump's peace plan have amplified the allegations. The timing is particularly sensitive as Ukraine faces severe energy shortages ahead of winter, with Russian strikes crippling infrastructure and leaving citizens with only hours of daily electricity.
Broader Fallout
Yermak's exit marks a stark turn for a figure who stood beside Zelensky on the first night of Russia's 2022 invasion, delivering a defiant message of unity. Their partnership dates back 14 years to Zelensky's media career, where Yermak served as a lawyer. Yet public outrage over the scandal-fueled by allegations that kickbacks diverted funds from critical infrastructure-has overshadowed his tenure. Timur Mindich, a former Zelensky business associate tied to the TV studio Kvartal 95, has already fled the country amid the probe.
What's Next: Diplomacy and Domestic Reckoning
Zelensky's government now faces dual challenges: shoring up anti-corruption credibility while navigating high-stakes talks. US officials are set to visit Moscow next week, and Putin has endorsed a proposed Trump-Putin summit in Budapest. Ukraine, backed by European allies, seeks to revise a US-drafted peace plan widely seen as favoring Russian interests.
Analysts warn the scandal could weaken Kyiv's negotiating hand, even as Zelensky vows no retreat: "Our work continues, our fight continues. We have no right to quarrel among ourselves."
