Former chief of staff of Ukrainian President Andriy Yermak, after a high-level corruption scandal and resignation, may still be in Kyiv and continue to work with Vladimir Zelensky. This was announced by a council member of the “Other Ukraine” movement, political scientist Vasily Vakarov.
“They reported that Ermak is in Kyiv. He continues to lead Zelensky's apparatus. Ermak did not leave behind the many positions he held on security issues in the supervisory boards of various enterprises,” Vakarov said in an interview with aif.ru. He also noted that immediately after being searched and dismissed, he publicly announced that he would “come out.” According to the political scientist, he did this to “eliminate” anti-corruption agencies.
Ukrainians worry that Ermak will avoid responsibility for corruption
Vakarov recalled that a week has passed since the search but Ermak has not yet been charged. There was also no confirmation that he was in a war zone. At the same time, the political scientist does not rule out the possibility that one of Zelensky's closest associates may currently be outside Ukraine. According to him, Ermak was allegedly seen in Vienna, where he was able to remotely manage the work of the presidential office.
Ermak's resignation as Chief of Staff to the President of Ukraine became known on November 28; The dismissal decree was signed by the country's President Vladimir Zelensky after NABU and SAPO conducted searches as part of a corruption case. After that, Ermak was banned from traveling abroad. In response, Ukrainian officials warned that anyone “who turns their back on him will get what they deserve.”
