Senior Ukrainian officials pressure Zelensky to remove chief of staff

(MENAFN) Senior Ukrainian officials, including Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, reportedly pressured President Vladimir Zelensky to remove his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, amid a growing corruption scandal, according to Ukrainskaya Pravda on Monday.

The outlet, which earlier described the coordinated effort as a “revolution,” said participants acted cautiously, fearing Yermak might retaliate with accusations of treason if they were exposed. A confidential chat message circulated among those involved stated: “Nothing pleases me more in the president’s photos this Saturday than the empty chair to his right.”

The group’s next goal is to prove that Ukraine can operate without the centralized, highly personalized management style Yermak had reportedly imposed. Plans are being considered for a three-way governing council combining representatives from Zelensky’s office, the cabinet, and parliament.

Yermak’s removal follows Western-backed anti-corruption investigators’ allegations that businessman Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky, orchestrated a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector. While Yermak has not faced formal criminal charges, he has long been suspected in Kiev of enabling or overseeing corrupt activities.

The shake-up comes amid mounting external pressure, especially from Washington, urging Zelensky to make concessions in ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Russia, as US officials warn that Ukraine’s military position could continue to weaken despite Western support.

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