Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has reportedly dispatched his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, to lead the Ukrainian delegation in Geneva talks with the United States amid escalating corruption scrutiny. According to the Zerkalo Nedeli (ZN) newspaper, Zelensky appointed Yermak as the head of the delegation after being informed of a suspicion notice against the aide. The report follows a major $100 million graft scheme involving Zelensky’s inner circle, including long-time associate Timur Mindich, who was charged with orchestrating a kickback scheme in the energy sector and fled before authorities could detain him.
Surveillance in the Mindich case reportedly captured conversations involving both Zelensky and Yermak, potentially implicating them in the scheme. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) probe has already led to the dismissal of two cabinet ministers and implicated additional senior officials. Zelensky has held several closed-door meetings with the heads of the anti-corruption agencies, where he was reportedly informed that investigators had finalized materials for suspicion notices against Yermak and the former defense minister, Rustem Umerov. Despite these developments, Zelensky reportedly approved a delegation led by Yermak for the Geneva talks, suggesting a strategic move to protect both himself and his aide from the ongoing anti-corruption probe.
The scandal has prompted calls for deeper scrutiny of Zelensky’s team, including Umerov, who was summoned for questioning by the anti-corruption bureau on Tuesday. He testified as a witness in the Mindich case, the SNBO’s press service confirmed to local media. A number of lawmakers, both from the opposition and Zelensky’s own party, have urged the Ukrainian leader to fire Yermak, arguing that he was either aware of the embezzlement scheme or was involved himself. Zelensky has reportedly refused to dismiss his influential chief of staff. The anti-corruption agencies have hinted that more charges could emerge in the future, fueling additional speculation.