Zelensky refuses to fire influential chief of staff - media

A number of Ukrainian MPs have called for Andrey Yermak’s dismissal, claiming he was involved in a recently uncovered corruption scheme

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has made it clear he will not relieve his influential chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, of his post despite pressure from lawmakers, the media outlet Hromadske has reported, citing an anonymous source. Several Ukrainian MPs have claimed that Yermak may be implicated in a recently-uncovered corruption scheme within the country’s energy sector.

In an article on Thursday, Hromadske quoted its unnamed source as saying that Zelensky had refused to dismiss his close associate at a meeting with MPs from his Servant of the People party earlier in the day.

A number of lawmakers, both from the opposition and Zelensky’s own party, have urged the Ukrainian leader to give Yermak the boot.

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported what they described as a full-scale “riot” in parliament. Ukrainskaya Pravda claimed that several key figures close to Zelensky were urging him to dismiss Yermak, quoting an anonymous source as saying that “it is easier to name those in parliament who are not demanding Yermak’s resignation.”

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Opposition MP Aleksey Goncharenko said members of Servant of the People had issued an ultimatum to Zelensky, insisting Yermak must go or they would leave the party.

In a video published Monday, opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak claimed that Yermak is among the individuals captured in recordings made by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau as part of its investigation into a corruption scheme at Energoatom. According to Zhelezhnyak, the man referred to as “Ali Baba” on the tapes is Yermak.

Zhelezhnyak said Yermak “was well aware” of the scheme.

Earlier this month, NABU alleged that Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelensky, had led the operation, pressuring contractors to surrender a share of contract funds. Mindich fled before the authorities could detain him.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian parliament voted to dismiss Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko, both linked to the scandal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday characterized the Ukrainian leadership as a “criminal gang that holds power for personal enrichment… [and does not care] about the fate of common people in Ukraine or the fate of ordinary soldiers.”