Andriy Yermak, the very controversial Zelensky’s right arm

Andriy Yermak would not be a real “ghost. In addition, president” who would hold the reins.images: keystone, montage: watson

The head of the presidential office pulls the strings behind the scenes of Ukrainian politics. Nevertheless, Here is why Volodymyr Zelensky keeps him with him despite all the criticism.

Denis trubetskoy, kiev / ch media

Andriy Yermak’s influence is enormous, but it is little known in the West. Consequently, As the andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s main confidant of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Similarly, Yermak was notably responsible by Zelensky to organize the Peace Summit in Switzerland last year.

This 53 -year -old lawyer, head of the office of the Ukrainian president, was not elected by anyone. He is however the second most powerful man in Ukraine – and its role in the country is extremely controversial. Furthermore, He would have pulled a lot of stints behind the scenes during the last events related to the restriction of the anti-corruption organs. Similarly, which was canceled on Thursday.

Andriy Yermak would not be a real “ghost president” who would hold the reins of Zelensky. However, as many claim in Ukraine and outside. Therefore, There would have been too many differences of opinion between the president. Meanwhile, his closest confidant for this to be the case. In addition. Meanwhile, andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s unlike his predecessor Andryi Bohdan who, at the start of Zelensky’s mandate, then inexperienced in politics, actually wanted to act as a sort of invisible president, he would simply have done what his superior wanted. Meanwhile, At least that is what several sources of the president of the president assert.

But the fact is that Yermak has an enormous influence and can practically determine who has access to Zelensky. Similarly, He is his de facto diplomacy and has a lot to say about internal policy or personnel issues.

The anti-corruption brain – Andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky's

During the major government restructuring that took place in Ukraine in July, man did not win everything. One of his relatives, the former Minister of Economy Ioulia Svyrydenko has become Prime Minister. But at the same timehe lost andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s some ministries who were occupied by “his” men.

However. several Ukrainian media agree that it was Yermak who convinced Zelensky to limit, almost overnight, the powers of the authorities such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). He would have been motivated by possible corruption surveys around people close to the presidential office and Yermak himself. It has been a long time since Ukrainian civil society is extremely critical of its staff. and this affair has only aggravated criticism against this 53 -year -old man.

Initially, there was nothing to predict that Yermak would become such an important figure in the Zelensky system. The Ukrainian president. who was successful not only as an actor, but also as a television manager, trained his original team with collaborators from his production company Kwartal 95. Yermak is andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s an expert in copyright and has co -produced some films. So he already knew Zelensky when he was only active in the world of television.

The two men were not particularly linked, however. The appointment of Yermak as a foreign policy advisor within the Zelensky team in 2019 was very surprising. In this role. he was responsible in the fall of 2019 for the first major exchange of prisoners with Russia and the pre -rushed separatists in Donbass. On this occasion, he notably brought out the famous director Oleh Sentsov from his Russian prison.

More important than the post of head of government

This result was undoubtedly a determining factor in its ascent to power. The following year, Yermak became head of the presidential chancellery, a position that did andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s not exist in the Ukrainian Constitution. But as the presidential party of the servants of the people won an absolute majority in the 2019 legislative elections. that a lot of power has therefore automatically concentrated in the presidential office, this function is de facto almost more important than the post of Prime Minister.

Andriy Yermak at the Peace Summit at Bürgenstock. last June, with Volodymyr Zelensky and the former president of the Confederation Viola Amherd.keystone

As a chief of staff, Yermak calls himself “the manager of Zelensky”. This is undoubtedly an appropriate title: it is entrusted with andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s the most important tasks. from the summit of peace to the repatriation of kidnapped Ukrainian children, including the development of relations with the United States.

It is precisely in this last area that there would be problems. European diplomats would also be unhappy with the role of leader in Yermak foreign policy. which is hardly charismatic and whose English leaves something to be desired.

Yermak has nevertheless been able to establish a productive relationship with the former national. security adviser Jake Sullivan of the Biden administration. However, he did not succeed with the current administration of Donald Trump. His last visit to the United States a week ago almost turned to a disaster. Neither the chief of staff of Trump. Susie Wiles, nor Marco Rubio, who is in a way the vis-à-vis Yermak as an interim security advisor, could devote andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s enough time to him.

The recent internal political tensions in Ukraine increase the pressure on Yermak. to whom a huge concentration of power is criticized as well as a controversial personal policy. Among his assistants. there are doubtful characters who held important positions in the security apparatus during the mandate of President Viktor Ianoukovytch, who fled in Russia, when he has repeatedly tried to force the Maidan Revolution by force in 2013/2014.

His communication style also raises questions. A large network of telegram channels linked to the president’s office has developed in recent years. They mainly take care of discrediting the political opponents of Zelensky.

It is however difficult to imagine the president dismissing his right arm. because he is too due to his personal loyalty. In addition, too many processes, including in foreign policy, andriy yermak, very controversial zelensky’s are now linked to him personally. And Yermak remains someone who. at the start of the war, refused to flee and who, since February 24, 2022, has been constantly in the presidential office on rue Bankova in kyiv.

Translated and adapted from German by Léa Krejci

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