Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, finds himself at the center of a growing political storm. As the war with Russia drags on, Yermak’s influence and controversial decisions have sparked both praise and criticism. A former senior official in the Biden administration described Yermak as someone with his own agenda, capable of shaping strategy for Zelenskyy without clear oversight.
Despite his reputation for getting things done and his influence in Ukraine, his unorthodox approach has drawn skepticism from various quarters, including within Ukraine and among U.S. political figures. Yermak’s influence is considered second only to Zelenskyy, and he has even been accused of making personnel moves that not even Zelenskyy is fully aware of. The senior official said Yermak has his own agenda and devises strategy for Zelenskyy. He’s a key figure in terms of personnel and determines who takes important decisions in the presidential office.
Yermak has been a pivotal conduit for Ukraine in negotiating with the U.S. and its European allies, particularly in pushing for tougher sanctions on Russia. While his unorthodox approach undoubtedly rankles the sensibilities of the Washington, D.C., foreign policy world and his compatriots in Ukraine, he is still a trusted advisor with key allies. Personal loyalty is one aspect of Yermak’s character and power projection that all officials who spoke to Fox News Digital confirmed was most important.
Volodymyr Ariev, a member of the Ukrainian Rada with the European Solidarity political party, told Fox News Digital that Yermak has built up a power base that consists of loyalists and individuals who lack professionalism. He claimed that officials on both sides of the Atlantic lack trust in Yermak. Zelenskyy, Rudolph and others argued, is better when he takes counsel from other sources.