On November 29, 2025, a dramatic turn of events rocked the Ukrainian government as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, following a search of Yermak’s residence by anti-corruption investigators. The news—confirmed by Scripps News, NBC News, and the Associated Press—sent ripples through Kyiv and beyond, coming at a time when Ukraine’s leadership was already under immense pressure to steer critical peace negotiations with Russia.
For years, Yermak has been more than just a senior aide. He’s been Zelenskyy’s confidant, gatekeeper, and the country’s lead negotiator in talks with the U.S. and Russia. His sudden exit, triggered by an unprecedented anti-graft raid inside the presidential compound, has left a vacuum at the heart of Ukraine’s government just as peace talks were gaining traction. According to NBC News, analysts warn that the timing couldn’t be worse—Ukraine is at a “possible tipping point” where the stakes of negotiations could determine the country’s future.
The anti-corruption search, led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, targeted Yermak’s apartment in downtown Kyiv, a highly secured area. While Yermak’s spokesperson, Oleksii Tkachuk, told the Associated Press that his client had not been served a notice of suspicion and was not a suspect, the investigation is part of a sprawling probe into a $100 million energy sector scandal that has already claimed the careers of two government ministers. Media reports suggest Yermak’s office was also searched, though investigators declined to comment further.
Yermak himself confirmed the search, stating on Telegram, “The investigators are facing no obstacles.” He added that he was cooperating fully and that his lawyers were present. Despite the swirl of speculation, there’s no indication that he has been formally accused of any wrongdoing. Still, the political ramifications have been swift and severe. As noted by the Associated Press, pressure had been mounting on Zelenskyy to remove Yermak, with some lawmakers arguing that the move was necessary to restore public trust and keep the president’s party from fracturing.
In a video statement Friday, Zelenskyy acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “Russia really wants Ukraine to make mistakes. There will be no mistakes on our part,” he said, emphasizing the need for unity. “If we lose unity, we risk losing everything—ourselves, Ukraine, our future.” He added, “We must unite, we must hold on. We have no other choice. We won’t have another Ukraine.”
The resignation comes at a particularly sensitive moment. As peace talks with Russia and the U.S. accelerate, Yermak’s departure injects fresh uncertainty into Ukraine’s negotiating strategy. According to NBC News, Yermak had been the face of Ukraine’s resistance to U.S. pressure—especially from President Donald Trump—to accept a deal that would align with Moscow’s demands, including potential territorial concessions. Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that “no one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory.” In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Yermak said, “All we can realistically talk about right now is really to define the line of contact.”
With Yermak gone, Zelenskyy has moved quickly to reconstitute his negotiating team. In his nightly address, the president announced a “reset” of the presidential office and said consultations would begin Saturday to appoint a new chief of staff. For the next round of negotiations with the U.S., the Ukrainian delegation will be jointly led by Andrii Hnatov, the head of Ukraine’s armed forces; Andrii Sybiha, the foreign minister; and Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s security council. Talks are expected to begin soon after November 29, 2025.
Rustem Umerov, now at the forefront of Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts, has also been mentioned by anti-corruption investigators, though like Yermak, he has not been charged. The U.S. delegation for the upcoming talks includes Secretary Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, according to NBC News. Meanwhile, Witkoff is set to travel to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin—a move that could shape the next phase of the conflict.
For Zelenskyy, the scandal and Yermak’s resignation have compounded an already difficult political landscape. The European Union, which Ukraine aspires to join, has made anti-corruption reforms a precondition for accession. A spokesperson for the European Commission told Radio Svoboda that the search for Yermak showed Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies were functioning, and that fighting graft remains central to Ukraine’s EU bid. Domestically, the fallout has been intense. The head of Ukraine’s parliamentary anti-corruption committee, Anastasiia Radina, said Yermak’s resignation was “better late than never.” Mykyta Porturaev, a lawmaker in Zelenskyy’s party, argued that Yermak “definitely had political responsibility. Of course he had to go.”
The energy sector scandal at the heart of the investigation is believed to involve Tymur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelenskyy who has since fled the country. Two of Yermak’s former deputies—Oleh Tatarov and Rostyslav Shurma—left the government in 2024 after facing corruption probes, while a third deputy, Andrii Smyrnov, remains in office despite past investigations. The Associated Press reports that the anti-graft agencies have not clarified whether Yermak’s case is directly tied to the energy scandal, but the optics of the raid have fueled calls for greater transparency and accountability.
International observers are watching closely. Guillaume Mercier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said the developments were being followed with interest and that the enforcement of the rule of law was a positive sign. Moritz Brake, a senior fellow at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies, commented to NBC News, “Generally this is a good sign. Of course, it’s bad enough that these accusations existed in the first place, but even those in the highest places are prosecuted when suspicions arise.”
Yet the risks for Ukraine are real. Michael Bociurkiw, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told NBC News that Yermak’s departure “comes at a very bad time, because we’re really at a possible tipping point where you know what Ukraine is demanding may not be granted or taken into consideration.” He added, “None of us really know what Zelenskyy is like operating solo, because he never has.” There’s concern that Russia may try to exploit the leadership vacuum, testing whether Ukraine’s red lines on territory and NATO membership can be softened during the transition.
Others see a potential silver lining. Michael A. Horowitz, a Jerusalem-based geopolitical consultant, suggested to NBC News that Yermak’s resignation “removes a lightning rod for controversy and gives Kyiv a cleaner, more collective mandate to say no to an unfair and unsustainable peace,” arguing that Zelenskyy is “getting his house in order.” Still, the episode is likely to reinforce skepticism within the Trump administration about Ukraine’s leadership, possibly increasing pressure for concessions in the ongoing talks.
As Ukraine faces a pivotal week of negotiations, Zelenskyy’s call for unity and transparency has never been more urgent. The eyes of the world—and especially of Europe and the United States—remain fixed on Kyiv, waiting to see how the embattled nation will navigate the dual challenges of war and reform.
