Zelensky would not yield to requests to dismiss Yermak

Earlier this week, members of Zelensky’s party, opposition lawmakers, and pro-democracy organizations put pressure on the president to dismiss Yermak, even though anti-corruption agencies have not said that the influential aide was involved in a $100 million bribery scheme in Ukraine’s energy sector.

Zelensky met with representatives of his parliamentary party late Thursday and made it clear that he would not yield, according to one participant in the meeting.

Jermak EPA/GIAN EHRENZELLER

“As for Yermak, the president clearly said that personnel matters in his office are his business,” a Ukrainian lawmaker from President Zelensky’s party, Servant of the People, told Politico on condition of anonymity.

The internal jockeying comes at a time when Russia and some U.S. officials are again pressuring Kyiv to agree to the so-called peace plan, which appears to favor Kremlin demands—although during talks with several journalists in Kyiv, U.S. officials insisted that the plan is comprehensive and does not represent Ukraine’s capitulation to Russia.

“We are here to support the Ukrainians as we have throughout this conflict, and we are here to ensure that this is a good plan for the Ukrainian people,” said U.S. Army spokesman Colonel Dave Butler.

After the parliamentary meeting, Zelensky addressed the nation late Thursday.

“I was in a meeting with the parliamentary majority faction; there were various questions, there were sensitive issues,” the president said, without specifying who was involved regarding Yermak.

“But the agreement is obvious—everyone must work for Ukraine, and that is how it will be. The wartime parliament must function. And I thank everyone who helps ensure this. And there will be decisions that will help achieve that,” Zelensky added.