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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday announced a sweeping overhaul of the Office of the President, confirming that his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, had submitted his resignation as Kyiv braces for a new round of negotiations with the United States.
Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Yermak, one of the most influential figures in Ukraine’s political establishment, came as the country faces mounting pressure from a renewed Russian offensive in the east and a surprise U.S. peace plan widely seen as favoring Moscow.
Yermak’s departure is a significant political blow for Zelenskyy, who had just last week named the 54-year-old as Kyiv’s top negotiator for upcoming talks to refine Washington’s proposal. The appointment came despite growing calls from opposition figures to oust Yermak, who has long been a polarizing figure in Ukrainian politics.
In a video address Friday, Zelenskyy said: “The Office of the President of Ukraine will be reorganized. The head of the office, Andriy Yermak, has submitted his resignation.” Minutes later, Zelenskyy signed a decree officially dismissing him.
Zelenskyy said he had held nearly 20 conversations with international partners in recent days, all of whom reiterated their support for Ukraine. He emphasized the need for unity and internal strength ahead of intensified diplomatic efforts.
Consultations on Yermak’s successor will begin Saturday, Zelenskyy said. He added that Ukraine’s delegation to the coming talks with the United States would include the commander-in-chief, representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the National Security and Defense Council, and intelligence agencies.
“All our internal efforts must now be focused on defending Ukraine and supporting our diplomatic mission,” he said.
Earlier Friday, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office raided Yermak’s apartment as part of an undisclosed investigation. While authorities did not specify the charges, Yermak confirmed he was cooperating.
He has been implicated in a $100 million kickback scheme tied to Ukraine’s strategic energy sector, an allegation first uncovered by investigators earlier this month. The case has sparked widespread public anger, especially as Russian strikes have crippled Ukraine’s power grid and raised fears of widespread blackouts this winter.
In his evening address, Zelenskyy called on the population to remain united despite the scandal.
“If we lose our unity, we risk losing everything: ourselves, Ukraine, our future,” he said.
He reaffirmed that talks with the United States will now be led by Ukraine’s military, diplomatic, and intelligence leadership. U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is due in Kyiv in the coming days, while President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow next week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Yermak was widely viewed as Zelenskyy’s closest political ally. A former film producer and copyright lawyer, he entered politics alongside Zelenskyy in 2019, transitioning from the entertainment world to the heart of Ukraine’s wartime government.
Over time, Yermak earned a reputation as the second-most powerful man in the country — often referred to as “vice-president” — and was frequently seen beside Zelenskyy at official events. Media reports said the two men even shared living quarters in the presidential bunker and spent leisure time playing table tennis or watching films.
But Yermak’s influence stirred controversy. Critics accused him of gatekeeping access to Zelenskyy and silencing dissent. “Yermak doesn’t allow anyone to get to Zelenskyy except loyal people,” a former senior official told AFP, describing him as “super paranoid.”
Another source in Zelenskyy’s party said his sway over the president resembled “hypnosis.”
Following the raid, the European Union expressed support for Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. “We have a lot of respect for those investigations, which show that the anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine are doing their work,” European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho said.
Zelenskyy had previously drawn criticism for attempting to limit the independence of NABU and SPO, triggering rare wartime protests this summer and eventually walking back the decision under EU pressure.
While Yermak was a key figure in Zelenskyy’s administration, he remained deeply unpopular among the public. A March 2025 poll by the Razumkov Centre, an NGO, found that two-thirds of Ukrainians distrusted him.
Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Yermak’s removal was necessary to bolster Kyiv’s credibility ahead of talks with Washington.
Zelenskyy, acknowledging the stakes, warned against missteps.
“Russia really wants Ukraine to make mistakes,” he said. “There will be no mistakes on our part.”
The upcoming negotiations with the United States follow a recent meeting in Geneva, where Ukrainian and American officials discussed a 28-point draft peace plan.
President Trump has hinted at possible progress. “Something good may be emerging,” he said earlier this week, “but let’s judge it by the results.”
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