Zelensky’s chief advisor steps down following a raid by Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities at his residence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has stepped down following an anti-corruption raid at his residence.

Yermak, a prominent figure wielding significant political power, has been Zelensky’s primary adviser throughout the ongoing war with Russia, yet he has faced mounting scrutiny due to an intensifying scandal – even though he is not alleged to have committed any wrongdoing.

Zelensky had most recently appointed him to lead critical talks, with US President Donald Trump spearheading a renewed effort to conclude the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a firm speech to the nation outside his presidential office, Zelensky urged for solidarity, cautioning: “We risk losing everything: ourselves, Ukraine, our future.”

The corruption crisis has shaken Ukraine for several weeks, undermining Zelensky’s standing and threatening the nation’s negotiating leverage with the US at a critical juncture.

With the support of its European partners, Ukraine has sought to alter the conditions of a US-led draft peace agreement that was initially perceived as heavily biased toward Russia.

On Friday morning, Ukraine’s two anti-corruption agencies conducted a search of Yermak’s apartment in the government area of Kyiv, and the chief of staff remarked on social media that “from my side there is full cooperation”.

“I appreciate Andriy for ensuring that Ukraine’s negotiating stance was consistently presented as necessary: it was always a patriotic stance,” the president expressed during his video message in Kyiv.

Zelensky mentioned that he would begin discussions on Saturday regarding who would succeed Yermak as his main adviser: “When the focus is on diplomacy and defense during a war, inner strength is essential.”

“Russia aims for Ukraine to make blunders – we will not make any mistakes. Our work goes on, our struggle continues. We have no obligation… to retreat, or to argue [among ourselves].”

Yermak’s exit from Ukraine’s top circle will be a significant setback for Zelensky, especially with US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll expected to arrive in Kyiv later this week as part of Trump’s proposed peace agreement.

US representatives are scheduled to visit Moscow next week, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that he supported a Hungarian proposal to host a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest.

Putin has remained adamant about Russia’s maximalist demands to conclude the hostilities. He asserted on Thursday that Russian forces held the advantage on the battlefield and the conflict would only cease when Ukrainian soldiers withdrew from the entire eastern Donbas region, including several strategic cities currently under Ukrainian control.

“If they do not withdraw, we will accomplish this through military force,” Putin declared.

Just hours before the raid on his residence, Yermak was still articulating his government’s position amid US pressure to concede territory to Russia, which executed a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“While Zelensky remains president, no one should expect us to relinquish land. He will not sign away any territory,” Yermak conveyed to The Atlantic website.

Yermak, aged 54, acknowledged during his interview that he faced “enormous” pressure to resign, adding, “the case is rather loud, and an objective and independent inquiry without political bias is essential”.

Ukraine’s Nabu anti-corruption agency and the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office (Sap) did not clarify the reasons behind the search of his apartment.

In recent weeks, investigators have associated several prominent individuals with an alleged $100 million (£75 million) embezzlement scandal in the energy industry. They reported having uncovered a broad plan to extract kickbacks and manipulate state-owned enterprises, including the state nuclear energy company Enerhoatom.

Russian officials involved in Trump’s proposed peace agreement have emphasized the corruption allegations, which have raised concerns among European Union allies. Ukraine is a candidate for EU membership, and a report released earlier this month raised questions about its “commitment to its anti-corruption agenda”.

Earlier in the year, Zelensky attempted to limit the authority of the two anti-corruption agencies, but he was compelled to reverse course almost immediately due to widespread protests and pushback from allies in Kyiv.

Zelensky has previously dismissed Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, while several suspects have been arrested in the growing corruption scandal that has sparked public outrage due to accusations that funds were misappropriated from essential infrastructure projects critical for ensuring Ukraine’s energy supplies.

As winter begins in Ukraine, Russian strikes have significantly damaged its energy systems, with Ukrainians nationwide enduring only a handful of hours of electricity each day.

One of the president’s past business partners, Timur Mindich, has departed the nation following the corruption claims.

Mindich was co-owner of the television studio Kvartal 95, where Zelensky’s acting career gained momentum prior to his election as president.

In recent weeks, Andriy Yermak’s popularity has plummeted, and lawmakers from all parties, including his own, have been urging for his dismissal, initially due to what they perceived as excessive power held by an unelected official, and more recently, due to the escalating corruption scandal.

Recent surveys indicated that 70% of the populace wished for his resignation.

Zelensky and his now-former chief of staff forged their friendship approximately 14 years ago when the future president was a prominent media executive, and Yermak worked for him as a legal counsel. Yermak was appointed chief of staff a year after Zelensky ascended to the presidency in 2019.

On the inaugural night of Russia’s invasion, they appeared alongside colleagues delivering a resolute video address from outside the presidential office on Kyiv’s Bankova Street, pledging to remain and fight.

“We are all present,” Zelensky conveyed to Ukrainians. “Our soldiers presence is here, the citizens are here, and we are all here. We are fighting for our independence, and this will remain unchanged.”