Yermak, Zelensky's all-powerful chief of staff, falls: €100 million scandal and change at the top for peace negotiations.

A nighttime raid on the heart of Ukrainian power has triggered the most serious political upheaval since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Ten agents of NABU, the Ukrainian anti-corruption agency, knocked on the door of the home of Andriy Yermak, the very powerful head of the presidential office and right-hand man of Volodymyr Zelensky. This is the final act of Operation Midas: an investigation by 100 million dollars which overwhelms the energy sector and touches the highest levels of the State.

Yermak, considered for years the “vice president”, the most influential man after Zelensky, he resigns in an attempt to stem a crisis that risks compromising the negotiating path towards a possible end to the war.

The searches of his home and office, conducted as part of the investigation into a nuclear energy-related bribery scheme, made his exit inevitable. "I am disgusted," Yermak declared, professing his innocence and announcing his intention to "go to the front." Zelensky, while defending his work, emphasized that at this crucial moment "there must be no distraction from the defense of Ukraine."

The fall of a pillar of presidential power

Over the years, Yermak was more than a collaborator: he was the president's shadow, with whom he shared working hours, official trips, strategic briefings, but also ping-pong, films, and training sessions.

Despite his political centrality, Yermak was nevertheless deeply unpopular: a figure perceived as a centralizer, excessively influential, "hypnotic" according to some sources within Zelensky's party. A poll by the Razumkov Center revealed, as early as March 2025, that two-thirds of Ukrainians they didn't trust him.

His resignation, while inevitable, is a huge blow to Zelensky, who now risks finding himself more isolated than ever at a time when international diplomacy requires balance, unity, and credibility.

Umerov new chief negotiator: a necessary but controversial choice

With Yermak out of the picture, Zelensky entrusts the role of chief negotiator to Rustem Umerov, former Minister of Defense, a figure perceived as “cleaner”, although sometimes touched by controversy and scandal.

Umerov was immediately dispatched to the United States to lead the Ukrainian delegation in negotiations with the Trump administration. In Florida, he will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, before the latter departs for Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin.

A strategic and necessary choice: Ukraine must demonstrate to its Western allies that the fight against corruption is not just a slogan, but a real commitment. However, there is no shortage of criticism in Kiev: some analysts believe Zelensky continues to prioritize personal loyalty over competence.

According to rumors reported by Axios, Yermak was ready to leave for Miami on the very day of the searches. He was supposed to meet Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to finalize the US-Ukraine peace plan agreement, before the American delegation's trip to Moscow.

His sudden fall forced Zelensky to take action, replacing him with Umerov at the last minute and trying to keep the fragile diplomatic balance intact.

The Kremlin exults: "Corruption in Kiev is linked to Western money."

Moscow wasted no time in exploiting the scandal politically. "All this corruption," said spokesman Peskov, "was and continues to be linked to American and European funds earmarked for the war."

For Putin, who has since welcomed his European ally Viktor Orbán to Moscow, guaranteeing him new oil supplies, this is the perfect opportunity to further weaken the Ukrainian government both internationally and domestically.

With the bombing continuing – the latest attack on Kiev caused casualties and serious damage – and diplomacy engaged on multiple fronts, Ukraine appears more vulnerable than ever.

Ukraine puts transparency to the test

Paradoxically, as Yermak falls, the European Union expresses appreciation for the effectiveness of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. A statement from Brussels emphasizes that the investigations demonstrate the vitality of the oversight institutions, despite Zelensky's past attempts to limit their autonomy, which met with strong protests and criticism from the EU.

The message is clear: to maintain Western support, Ukraine must demonstrate its ability to manage corruption with transparency and independence.

A war that continues and an increasingly alone president

As Russian drones continue to strike Kiev, Zelensky attempts to reassure the country by declaring: "Russia would very much like Ukraine to make mistakes. There will be no mistakes on our part."

Yet, the widespread feeling is that of an isolated president, who has lost his most trusted advisor at the most critical moment of the war.

Diplomacy remains active – with Zelensky expected in Paris for a meeting with Emmanuel Macron – but the road to a sustainable peace appears to be tortuous, marked by American pressure, European strategies, Russian threats, and internal fragilities.

The scandal that has engulfed Yermak isn't just a corruption scandal: it's a snapshot of a country exhausted by war and forced to demonstrate credibility while facing yet another political shock. The future of the negotiations, now in the hands of Rustem Umerov, will depend on the delicate balance between military resolve, international diplomacy, and the Kiev government's ability to demonstrate that Ukraine deserves the trust and support of the Western community.