KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aide and closest confidant — who also served as lead negotiator in talks with U.S. officials to reach a peace plan to end Russia’s war — resigned Friday, hours after authorities searched his home and office amid a widening corruption probe.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, has emerged as one of the most contentious figures in the country and has been widely blamed for consolidating power and undermining parliament and ministries.
Many Ukrainians viewed the unelected official’s immense influence over the highest levels of Ukraine’s government as inappropriate — especially during the most perilous years in the country’s history as it fought the Russian invasion.
Yermak returned this week from Geneva, where he took on the role of chief negotiator with a delegation of U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as they worked through a proposed 28-point peace plan that made major concessions to Russia and deeply alarmed Ukrainian and European leaders.
He was given that role even as rumors swirled over his potential involvement in a major corruption scandal roiling Ukraine’s government. Several people in Zelensky’s inner circle have been implicated in the allegations, including his former business partner Timur Mindich, who fled to Israel earlier this month.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies said they have uncovered a scheme involving significant kickbacks from Ukraine’s energy and defense sectors — the two most sensitive areas for the Ukrainian public as the war rages and power cuts leave major cities engulfed in darkness for much of each day.
Zelensky announced Yermak’s resignation during his evening address on Friday, mentioning it unceremoniously between other points related to Ukraine’s war efforts.
“I am grateful to Andriy for ensuring that Ukraine’s position in the negotiation track has always been represented by him exactly as it should be,” he said. “It has always been a patriotic position. But I want there to be no rumors or speculation. As for the new head of the office, tomorrow I will hold consultations with those who may lead this institution.”
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