The discovery of Yermak’s assets will have huge implications for Ukraine and potential peace talks – immediate reaction
sean walker
The revelation that anti-corruption police are searching the assets of Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak will have a huge impact on the Ukrainian political landscape and possibly even peace talks.
it is It is difficult to overestimate the importance of Yermak to the Ukrainian political system.
He Zelensky combines multiple roles: most trusted sounding board, domestic political enforcerController of access to the President, main point of contact for foreign politicians, and chief peace negotiator.
Yermak is such a powerful Chief of Staff that people know how the Office of the President operates Describe his relationship with Zelensky as symbiotic.
Those who have dealt with Yermak, both inside and outside Ukraine, Describe him as a mercurial and ruthless operator who has moved against alternative centers of political influence in the country. And have worked systematically to gain political power.
With such influence inevitably comes enemies, and there are few among the Ukrainian elite who have a positive view of Yermak, However many admire his work ethic and political skills.
Foreign politicians have often appreciated knowing that they could use Yermak as a direct talking point to the President, but some have found him a frustrating negotiator, And it is known that people in the Trump White House have expressed a priority to deal with Rustam UmerovCurrent head of the Security Council of Ukraine over Yermak.
Until now, Zelensky has always resisted calls to fire Yermak or even clip his wings, But if he is now embroiled in a corruption scandal, these things are likely to intensify further. Politically, getting rid of his chief of staff might be Zelensky’s smartest move, but people who know both men say the relationship is so close that it is hard to imagine Zelensky making that move.
“I think It’s theoretically possible that Zelensky could do without him but in practice I can’t imagine that ever happening,“A former senior officer told me this a few months ago.
major events
Hungary’s Orban expected to visit Putin for talks on energy, Ukraine
Another big story happening today Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s unexpected visit to Moscow, where he is due to hold talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on energy supplies and ending the Ukraine war.
“I am Going there to make sure Hungary’s energy supplies are secure for the winter And next year at an affordable price,” Orban said in a video uploaded to Facebook.
Hungary has been Russia’s closest ally in the EU, Repeatedly criticized the bloc’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling for greater engagement with Moscow and the lifting of sanctions.
The AFP stated that since returning to power in 2010, Orbán has met Putin 15 times, including four times since a full-scale invasion in 2022.
is the prime minister of hungary Facing a difficult parliamentary election early next year, with his Fidesz party trailing pro-EU opposition forces in the polls, Which may explain why he is looking for successes wherever he can find them.
If you’re wondering how serious this could be for Ukraine and Zelensky, let us point out that Yermak overnight Literally put forward Ukraine’s response to the latest peace talks, With an interview in The Atlantic magazine in the US.
Described as “Zelensky’s chief of staff”, “Chief negotiator and closest support during a full-scale war with Russia.” Yermak insisted that “today not a single sane person will sign a document of leaving the region.”
“As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us to leave the region. He will not sign over the territory,” he told the magazine by telephone from Kiev.
He too directly involved in the talks in Geneva Over the weekend.
Morning opening: Zelensky’s number two apartment searched as part of anti-corruption investigation
jacob grace
Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities are searching properties linked to Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s powerful chief of staff.
In a post on Telegram, Yermak confirmed that authorities were given “full access” to his apartment, And he is cooperating with authorities along with his lawyers.
In a joint statement, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said the search was “authorized”. and is linked to an unspecified investigation.
,NABU and SAPO are conducting investigative actions (searches) at the head of the office of the President of Ukraine,, he said. ,The investigative action is authorized and is being carried out within the framework of the investigation.,
It was not immediately clear what the investigation was about.
Reuters noted that earlier this month, the two agencies unveiled a wide-ranging investigation into an alleged $100 million bribery scheme at Stage Nuclear Power Company. Zelensky’s ex-business partners.
While Yermak has not been named a suspect in the investigation, But opposition lawmakers and some members of Zelensky’s own party had called for his dismissal as part of Ukraine’s worst wartime political crisis, the agency said.
earlier this year, Ukraine was plunged into political crisis over Zelensky’s controversial plans to reform anti-corruption authorities.which was eventually reversed after intense international criticism, including from the European Union, which continues to say The fight against corruption remains one of the key tasks of Ukraine on its way to joining the bloc.
The discovery comes at a difficult time for Ukraine amid growing US pressure to agree a peace deal with Russia, and Any perceived or real sense of wrongdoing at the top of the government could further weaken Ukraine’s position.
This can be explosive.
I will be bringing you all the major updates throughout the day.
Its Friday, 28 November 2025, Its jacob grace here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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