Ukrainian President Zelensky Faces Calls to Dismiss Chief of Staff Amidst Energy Sector Corruption Probe
Kyiv,Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing mounting pressure to dismiss his Chief of Staff,Andriy Yermak,following a major corruption inquiry within the country’s energy sector,according to reports from Ukrainska Pravda. The calls for Yermak’s removal reportedly came during a series of meetings Zelensky held last week with key government figures to strategize a response to the fallout from the probe.
The investigation, launched by the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on November 10th, centers on a criminal organization accused of influencing strategic state-owned enterprises, including Energoatom, through a large-scale corruption scheme.NABU conducted searches at the homes of entrepreneur Tymur mindichus,a founder of the Kvartal 95 studio,and Justice Minister Germanas galushchenko,who previously served as Minister of Energy.
Seven individuals are currently suspected in the case, including Mindichus, identified as the head of the criminal organization, former Energy Ministry advisor Ihor Myroniuk, Energoatom’s executive director for physical protection and security, Dmytro Basov, and four individuals allegedly involved in money laundering – Oleksandr Tsukerman, Ihor Fursonko, Lesia Ustymenko, and Lyudmyla Zorina.
Sources familiar with the presidential discussions told Ukrainska Pravda that while various solutions to the crisis were offered, “almost all of them disagreed and advised to replace the head of the presidential office A. Yermak.” A high-ranking member of the ruling People’s Servant party reportedly stated that it would be easier to count those within the Verkhovna Rada not requesting Yermak’s dismissal. One source indicated a potential fracturing of the faction if Yermak remains in his position, stating, “It is understood that ther is no direct blackmail, but if he is not fired, the faction will fall apart.”
The push for Yermak’s removal is reportedly being spearheaded by a tandem of David Arachamiya and Daniil Getmantsev, with support from the liberal wing of the People’s Servant party.
On November 13th,President Zelensky imposed personal sanctions on Tymur Mindichus and Oleksandr Tsukerman.
This situation unfolds as Ukraine continues to navigate the challenges of war with Russia and simultaneously strives to address internal corruption, a key requirement for maintaining international support and progressing towards European Union membership. The outcome of this internal political pressure and the ongoing corruption investigation will likely have notable implications for the stability of Zelensky’s administration and Ukraine’s reform efforts.