Andriy Yermak Resigns Amid Expanding Corruption Investigation

Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, resigned on September 29, 2023, following a significant anti-corruption raid at his residence. This development comes as investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) conducted procedural actions in connection to a broader investigation into corruption involving state entities.

Yermak confirmed the search through a social media post, stating, “Today, NABU and SAPO are indeed conducting procedural actions at my home. The investigators have no obstacles. They were given full access to the apartment; my lawyers are on-site, interacting with law enforcement officers.” He emphasized his commitment to cooperating fully with the investigation.

The raid is tied to a massive corruption scandal involving Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, with allegations of up to $100 million in embezzlement and kickbacks. While Yermak has not been formally charged, his resignation marks the most significant fallout from the ongoing investigation, dubbed “Operation Midas,” which has been underway for approximately 15 months.

The investigation has already led to charges against businessman Tymur Mindich, who is accused of being the ringleader of the scheme and was reportedly found with bags of cash during a raid of his apartment. Yermak’s departure raises concerns about President Zelenskyy’s ability to govern effectively, particularly as he was a key figure in negotiations for a proposed peace deal with Russia.

Yermak’s resignation came just a day before he was scheduled to travel to Miami for discussions with officials from the Trump administration regarding the peace proposal. An unnamed Ukrainian official referred to the situation as “the perfect storm,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the government amid the investigation.

Political pressure on Yermak had been mounting prior to the raid, with opposition politicians calling for his resignation. Although President Zelenskyy had previously defended Yermak, American officials expressed concerns that the unfolding scandal could undermine Ukraine’s negotiating position with Russia.

In a statement following Yermak’s resignation, Zelenskyy acknowledged his chief of staff’s contributions, saying, “I am grateful to Andriy for always presenting the Ukrainian position in the negotiation track exactly as it should be. It has always been a patriotic position.” He also stated, “We do not have the right to ease the pressure. We do not have the right to retreat or to quarrel among ourselves.”

The resignation of Yermak complicates the political landscape for Zelenskyy, with observers indicating that it raises doubts about his effectiveness as Ukraine’s leader. The proposed peace deal stipulates that presidential elections must occur within 100 days after its signing, adding an additional layer of complexity to the situation.

Zelenskyy, who initially campaigned on an anti-corruption platform when he was elected in 2019, is facing a challenging environment should he seek re-election. In a September interview, he indicated that he may not pursue a second term, stating, “If we finish the war with the Russians, I’m ready not to go for the second term because it’s not my goal — elections. My goal is to finish the war.”

As Ukraine navigates this political turmoil, the implications of Yermak’s resignation extend beyond individual accountability, potentially impacting the country’s approach to governance and international negotiations in this critical period.