Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, resigned last Friday amid a growing corruption scandal that has shaken the country. Yermak's departure is anticipated to create instability, as he was considered the second-most powerful figure in Ukraine due to his close relationship with Zelenskyy. Critics, however, view this change as a potential step toward strengthening Ukraine’s democracy.

Yermak, an entertainment lawyer and film producer, first met Zelenskyy in 2011 while both worked at the same television station. In 2020, Zelenskyy appointed him as head of the presidential office. Yermak quickly became a key player in the administration, known for his communication and negotiation skills. Their bond deepened during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where they worked closely together in a presidential bunker during the early weeks of the conflict.

Yermak was seen as Zelenskyy’s most trusted ally, with some describing their relationship as akin to “yin and yang” or “Siamese twins.” He controlled access to the president, influenced high-level personnel decisions, and led many of Ukraine’s foreign policy initiatives and peace negotiations. While Zelenskyy focused on broader strategies, Yermak managed the day-to-day operations of governance, leading many to view him as Ukraine’s de facto “co-president.” His influence gained international recognition, particularly after overseeing a significant peace summit in Geneva in 2024. Time Magazine even included him in its annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people that year, while Zelenskyy was not mentioned.

Despite his effectiveness, Yermak's extensive powers were controversial. Critics raised concerns about his tendency to bypass traditional institutions, especially the foreign ministry, arguing that this undermined democratic processes in Ukraine. While Zelenskyy and his supporters defended Yermak’s capabilities, many diplomats from Europe and the U.S. found him to be abrasive and overly controlling.

Yermak's credibility suffered due to a 2020 corruption scandal involving leaked videos of his brother, Denys, discussing payments from candidates seeking government positions. Although both brothers were implicated, the investigation stalled under unclear circumstances, with one witness claiming a grenade was thrown into his car after he spoke with journalists about the case. This incident was not isolated; Yermak’s office faced numerous corruption allegations over the years, implicating several associates.

Polls conducted by the Razumkov Centre indicated that public support for Yermak fluctuated. Initially, 41 percent of respondents expressed trust in him in February 2023, but that number plummeted to 33 percent by spring 2025. Yermak's political decline began last summer when Zelenskyy enacted a law that weakened Ukraine’s two main anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). This move sparked backlash from Western allies and led to protests in Ukraine, with demonstrators chanting, "Sack Yermak! Sack Yermak!" Following the protests, Zelenskyy reversed his decision and restored the agencies’ independence, but many Ukrainians suspected that his inner circle was under investigation for corruption, which was later confirmed. Yermak's resignation marks a significant shift in Ukraine's political landscape as the country grapples with ongoing issues of corruption and governance.