Zelensky’s chief of staff resigns as Ukraine corruption investigation widens

Andriy Yermak Picture: Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP

Ukrainian[/ur] President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the resignation of his chief of staff Andrii Yermak, whose residence was searched earlier in the day by anti-corruption investigators.

Mr Yermak has been Ukraine’s lead negotiator in peace talks with Russia and the US, and he has been a trusted confidante of Mr Zelensky for years.

The unprecedented searches at the heart of Ukraine’s government come at a time when Kyiv is under intense US pressure to sign a peace deal nearly four years after Russia invaded.

In a nod to likely controversy over Mr Yermak’s long stay at his side, Mr Zelensky said Russia was waiting for Ukraine to make missteps and upset the delicate and tense peace negotiations.

“We don’t have a right to retreat or argue between ourselves. If we lose unity, we risk losing everything, ourselves, Ukraine, our future,” the Ukrainian leader said. “We must unite, we must hold on. We have no other choice. We won’t have another Ukraine.” 

Mr Yermak’s name did not appear on a list of officials Mr Zelensky said would make up the Ukrainian delegation for the next round of negotiations with the US.

The president said: “To preserve our internal strength, there must be no reasons to be distracted by anything else except for defence of Ukraine. I don’t want anybody to be questioning Ukraine, and that’s why we have today’s decisions.” 

In his nightly address, he announced he was “resetting” the presidential office. He said Mr Yermak had submitted his resignation, and he would begin consultations on Saturday to appoint a new chief of staff.

Two national agencies fighting entrenched corruption in Ukraine said their searches targeted Mr Yermak.