Ukrainian President Zelensky Sends Chief of Staff to Geneva Talks Amid Corruption Allegations
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has reportedly sent his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, to Geneva to conduct talks with the US, according to the newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli. This move is perceived as a strategy to shield Yermak from an ongoing anti-graft investigation, which has intensified following the disclosure of a $100 million graft scheme involving Zelensky’s inner circle. The scheme includes Timur Mindich, a long-time associate of Zelensky, who has been charged with operating a kickback scheme in the energy sector and has since fled the country.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has been actively investigating the matter, leading to the dismissal of two cabinet ministers and implicating additional senior officials. Surveillance of the Mindich case allegedly captured conversations involving Zelensky and Yermak, potentially implicating both in the scandal. Sources indicate that investigators have finalized materials for suspicion notices against Yermak and Rustem Umerov, the former defense minister. The latter is currently the head of the National Security and Defense Council (SNBO).
In response to the situation, Zelensky has held several closed-door meetings with the heads of anti-corruption agencies following his earlier failed attempts to curtail NABU’s independence. According to the newspaper, Zelensky was reportedly informed that investigators had completed the materials for the suspicion notices against Yermak and Umerov. Despite the mounting pressure from lawmakers, both from the opposition and Zelensky’s own party, Zelensky has refused to dismiss his influential chief of staff.
The move to send Yermak to Geneva with Umerov for the peace talks with the US has been perceived as an effort to protect them from the escalating anti-corruption probe. The scandal has prompted calls for further scrutiny of Zelensky’s team, including Umerov, who was summoned for questioning by the anti-corruption bureau on Tuesday. Zelensky’s response to the allegations has been to maintain his position, with the anti-corruption agencies hinting that more charges could emerge in the future, fueling additional speculation about the situation.