A major political shock has struck Ukraine.
On Friday, Andriy Yermak—the chief of staff and key advisor to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky—stepped down after anticorruption agents raided his residence and workplace. While such probes have intensified recently in Ukraine, none have targeted a figure as influential as Yermak, whose sway arguably matched that of the president.
If you have already read my article from October about Yermak, you might expect me to welcome this event. Depending on Zelensky’s response, Yermak’s removal could mark the start of the war’s decline with Russia and even usher in a sovereign, free, and democratic Ukraine after the conflict.
If this sounds overly optimistic, consider the complex and highly damaging influence Yermak has exerted over Ukrainian politics since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
He accumulated immense authority, pushing aside rivals, filling top government roles with loyalists, and managing who could access the president. Reports claim Yermak even slept near Zelensky in the presidential bunker, illustrating the unusual mutual dependence the two developed.
Rumors surfaced linking Yermak to a recent $100 million energy sector embezzlement scandal. Long before this controversy, many Ukrainians feared Yermak was reviving the corrupt, post-Soviet oligarchic structures that have long plagued the country.
He has done little to dispel these concerns. During the summer, Yermak orchestrated a clampdown on the very watchdog organizations now investigating him—a move that Zelensky reversed after protests erupted in the streets, with demonstrators chanting “Yermak out!” and “F— Yermak!”
Yermak has not taken criticism lightly, reportedly compiling lists of political adversaries for national security agencies to target with sanctions.
Despite mounting calls for his dismissal amid the corruption scandal, Zelensky appointed Yermak leader of the Ukrainian delegation negotiating a new U.S.-proposed peace plan with Russia. This decision frustrated the White House, which appeared eager to capitalize on Zelensky’s weakening position to promote a deal involving concessions to Moscow.
Yermak has consistently maintained a firm negotiating stance and opposed deals that analysts claim are essential for peace. This week he stated that Zelensky will never trade territory for peace, despite the U.S. proposal allowing some Ukrainian land to become a demilitarized zone. Last year, Yermak coauthored a Foreign Affairs article framing “victory” as the sole route to peace—a hope many see as unrealistic given Russia’s military superiority.
Yermak’s removal from the peace talks may increase the likelihood that Kyiv adopts a more flexible stance, narrowing the divide between Ukrainian and Russian demands.
Yermak’s influence has also hindered Ukraine’s war effort. He is widely believed to have orchestrated the ousting of Valery Zaluzhny as commander-in-chief last year. Early in the conflict, Zaluzhny was viewed by Ukrainians as a legendary national figure and by Yermak as a political rival.
In Washington, both political parties have agreed on viewing Yermak as a problematic figure, and the Trump administration was no exception. When Vice President JD Vance’s team contacted Zaluzhny in March to assess if he could succeed Zelensky—whose presidency officially ended a year earlier—Yermak persuaded Zaluzhny to decline. With Yermak now gone, the Trump faction faces fewer barriers in their strategic objectives concerning Ukraine.
Does Yermak’s exit ensure peace is near and democracy will flourish in Ukraine? Not automatically.
Much depends on Zelensky’s choice for Yermak’s replacement as chief of staff. One speculation points to Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s prime minister and a close Yermak ally. Such a decision would be misguided. To move past the tainted Yermak period, Zelensky should appoint a reputable figure outside the former chief’s circle.
No matter the outcome, Yermak’s investigation and departure are encouraging signs for Ukraine. Despite the wartime governance shared by Yermak and Zelensky, the fact that independent watchdogs conducted searches in Yermak’s office highlights the resilience of the country’s liberal institutions. This moment is uncertain and fragile for Ukraine, yet also vital and filled with hope.
Original article: theamericanconservative.com
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