The Ukrainian corruption scandal is creeping closer to Volodymyr Zelensky. On Friday evening, his chief of staff was forced to resign after his home was searched by the anti-corruption agency Nabu and the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor's office Sapo.
Yermak had announced that "full cooperation" was required from his side. But in the end, his position became untenable, not least in light of Russia's efforts to exploit the growing corruption scandal. Officially, he resigned, but it was done under duress when Zelensky signed an order dismissing him from his post.
Russia really wants Ukraine to make mistakes, Zelenskyy says in his videotaped speech, warning that only Russia benefits from Ukraine's division.
If we lose unity, we risk losing everything: ourselves, Ukraine, our future. We must stick together. We must persevere. We have no other choice.
Weakens Zelenskyy
Friday's raid is said to be linked to the corruption scandal in the Ukrainian energy sector that has forced the removal of both the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy.
The suspicions against the president's inner circle are a big problem for Zelensky, says Fredrik Wesslau, a Ukraine expert and researcher at the Center for East European Studies, to TT.
Many are disappointed and wonder what is going on.
It clearly weakens Zelensky in domestic politics, says Fredrik Wesslau.
This particular corruption scandal, linked to the energy companies, is particularly sensitive because Russia is trying to knock out the energy infrastructure and people are living without electricity and heat.
Can put more pressure
Zelenskyy says he will start looking for a replacement on Saturday, but a bigger question is who will take over his role in the peace negotiations with the United States, where Yermak has held a key position.
The development "helps Ukraine's enemies" and could spill over into the peace negotiations, points out Fredrik Wesslau.
For the US, this is an opportunity to put even more pressure on Zelenskyy and get him to accept a bad deal in the negotiations. Russia could use it to question Zelenskyy's legitimacy.
Last summer, Zelensky's government planned to limit the independence of Nabu and Sapo. But after widespread protests, the government backed down.
Against this background, the crackdown on Jermak can, according to Wesslau, also be seen as a sign that "the anti-corruption agencies are functioning and dare to investigate people at the very highest level."
The corruption scandal erupted in mid-November, when the anti-corruption agency Nabus' investigation showed that the equivalent of around one billion kronor had passed through a money laundering system linked to the energy sector.
Around 70 raids have been carried out after a 15-month investigation into the matter.
Both Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk have been forced to resign. A number of other high-ranking officials close to President Volodymyr Zelensky have been sanctioned – among them the alleged mastermind, businessman Timur Mindich, who fled Ukraine hours before Nabu was to raid his apartment.
