Zelensky sacks Powerful Chief of Staff following anti-corruption raid on home
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the resignation of his influential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, who also served as Kyiv’s lead negotiator in key discussions with the United States.
Yermak’s exit comes shortly after anti-corruption investigators searched his residence on Thursday, November 27. The unprecedented raid, targeting a top figure in Ukraine’s leadership, comes at a sensitive time as Kyiv faces mounting pressure to finalize a peace agreement nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Yermak, a long-time trusted ally of Zelensky, had remained in his position despite repeated calls for his removal. His resignation marks a major setback for the President and could upend the administration’s carefully coordinated negotiation strategy.
In acknowledging the likely controversy surrounding Yermak’s long tenure, Zelensky referenced the high stakes, stating that 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,” Zelensky said. “We must unite, we must hold on. We have no other choice. We won’t have another Ukraine.”
The severity of the situation was underscored by the fact that Yermak’s name did not appear on the official list of officials Zelensky announced would make up the Ukrainian delegation for the next round of negotiations with the United States.
