Quick Read
- Ukraine’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak has had his home and offices raided by anti-corruption agencies as part of a $100 million energy sector investigation.
- Yermak has not been formally accused of wrongdoing but is cooperating fully with authorities.
- The scandal comes at a critical moment as Ukraine negotiates peace terms with Russia and seeks continued Western support.
- Several lawmakers have called for Yermak’s dismissal, risking a split in Zelenskyy’s party.
- The European Union and the US are watching Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts closely, linking them to future aid and membership.
Zelenskyy’s Leadership Tested by Corruption Probe at the Heart of Government
In the cold shadow of Kyiv’s winter, a political storm is brewing at the very center of Ukrainian power. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the comedian-turned-leader who has become the face of Ukraine’s resistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, now finds his presidency tested by a crisis that strikes at the heart of his administration: a sweeping anti-corruption investigation targeting his most trusted aide, Andriy Yermak.
On Friday, November 28, 2025, anti-corruption officers from Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office descended on Yermak’s home and offices, launching searches connected to a sprawling $100 million energy sector scandal. While Yermak himself has not been formally accused of wrongdoing, the symbolism is stark: the man who has shaped and shielded Zelenskyy’s presidency is now under a microscope, just as Ukraine navigates the high-wire act of peace talks with Russia and the United States.
Political Fallout: Allies, Enemies, and the Fragile Balance of Power
Yermak’s role in Zelenskyy’s team cannot be overstated. For years, he has been the president’s confidant, chief negotiator, and gatekeeper—described by insiders as “symbiotic” with Zelenskyy. As Ukraine’s lead negotiator in ongoing peace discussions, Yermak has fronted Ukraine’s response to Western and Russian proposals, famously telling The Atlantic that “not a single sane person today would sign a document to give up territory.”
The investigation comes at a time when Ukraine’s government is under acute pressure. Several former deputies in Yermak’s office have already left following separate corruption probes, and the current scandal threatens to fracture Zelenskyy’s parliamentary majority. Some lawmakers have demanded Yermak’s dismissal to restore public trust, while others warn that his removal could destabilize the administration’s ability to steer the nation through war and peace negotiations.
Despite mounting pressure, Zelenskyy has so far stood by his chief of staff. In a public statement, he called on Ukrainians to “stop the political games” and focus on unity, emphasizing the importance of showing a strong front as negotiations with Russia and Western allies intensify.
International Stakes: Peace Talks, EU Scrutiny, and the War’s Human Cost
The timing of this scandal is, in the words of security editor Deborah Haynes for Sky News, “particularly poisonous.” Ukraine is enduring relentless power outages due to Russian bombing, and allegations that top officials may have profited while ordinary citizens suffer strike a painful chord. The scandal also threatens to undermine Ukraine’s position in peace talks, where concessions and security guarantees are being debated at the highest level.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has seized the moment to cast doubt on Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, using the ongoing turmoil as a rhetorical weapon in negotiations. Meanwhile, the European Union—whose support is crucial to Ukraine’s war effort and long-term aspirations for membership—has reiterated that anti-corruption reforms are a non-negotiable prerequisite for joining the bloc.
The European Commission, responding to Russia’s claims of Zelenskyy’s “illegitimacy,” stated unequivocally that “President Zelensky is the democratically elected president, by the Ukrainian people, of Ukraine.” Yet, the Commission’s spokesperson also stressed that ongoing anti-corruption efforts are vital and will be closely monitored.
Belgium, hosting the largest share of frozen Russian assets in Europe, has voiced strong concerns about EU proposals to use these assets to fund Ukraine, warning that such moves could jeopardize future peace deals and destabilize financial markets. The debate underscores the fragility of Ukraine’s international support amid mounting scandals.
Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Fight: Progress, Setbacks, and the Road Ahead
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have been both praised and scrutinized for their recent actions. The NABU and SAPO investigations—authorized and transparent—are intended to demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to reform, a key demand from the EU and Western allies. Yet, critics worry that the timing and scope of these investigations could play into Russia’s narrative of instability and dysfunction.
Yermak’s cooperation with investigators has been public and unequivocal. In a Telegram post, he wrote, “The investigators are facing no obstacles.” His lawyers were present, and he emphasized his willingness to assist in the probe. Nevertheless, the shadow of suspicion hangs over the administration, and the outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching consequences for Zelenskyy’s government and Ukraine’s negotiating position.
Corruption scandals have historically been a challenge for Ukraine, with previous governments falling under the sway of oligarchs and pro-Russian interests. Zelenskyy’s ascent to power was marked by promises to break with this past, but the current crisis revives fears of backsliding and political fragmentation.
Public Sentiment: War Fatigue, Anger, and the Need for Trust
For ordinary Ukrainians, the news of alleged corruption at the highest levels is a bitter pill to swallow. As families endure blackouts and the daily threat of Russian attacks, the idea that officials might enrich themselves at the expense of the public is especially painful. Political analyst Viktor Shlinchak described the day’s events as “Black Friday” for Yermak, and many believe that the fallout could reshape the country’s leadership and its approach to peace.
Human rights advocates, including Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, have warned against peace deals that ignore accountability for war crimes, arguing that true peace must also deliver justice. The leaked US-Russia peace plan, criticized for lacking a “human dimension,” has been met with skepticism in Kyiv, where the trauma of war remains fresh.
Ukraine’s battle against corruption is not merely an internal affair—it is a test of the nation’s ability to remain united, resilient, and trustworthy in the eyes of its allies and its own people.
The anti-corruption raid on Andriy Yermak’s home marks a turning point for Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presidency. It exposes the delicate balance between reform, stability, and trust in a nation at war. Whether Zelenskyy can navigate this storm—defending his closest ally while upholding the rule of law—will shape Ukraine’s future both at the negotiating table and in the hearts of its citizens.