Paul Kirby,Europe digital editorand
James Waterhouse,Ukraine correspondent
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have begun searching the apartment of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
One of the two agencies, anti-corruption bureau Nabu, confirmed that its investigative searches had been authorised and said further details would follow.
A corruption scandal has engulfed several figures close to Zelensky, though neither he nor his right-hand man Yermak have been accused of any wrongdoing.
Andriy Yermak is the president’s closest aide and has had his ear throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion. He is also Kyiv’s lead negotiator in peace talks with the US, but his position has come increasingly under threat from critics calling for him to go.
Yermak, 54, confirmed on social media that both Nabu and the specialised anti-corruption prosecutor’s office (Sap) were “conducting procedural actions at my home” and had full access to his apartment, with his lawyers on site.
“From my side, there is full co-operation,” said the chief of staff, who has not been named as a suspect.
The searches come at a very awkward moment for Zelensky and his closest ally, with US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll due to arrive in Kyiv by the end of this week as US President Donald Trump pushes ahead with a draft peace plan. US officials are heading to Moscow next week.
One of the main sticking points for Ukraine is Russia’s demand for Ukraine to hand over the territory it still controls in the eastern Donetsk region. “If they don’t withdraw, we’ll achieve this by force of arms,” Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
Yermak, who wields enormous influence at the top of government in Kyiv, underlined his leading role in the negotiations when he told The Atlantic website hours before news of the searches emerged that “as long as Zelensky is president, no-one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory”.
However, Putin has been emboldened by minor territorial gains by Russian forces, claiming their offensive “is practically impossible to hold back”.
Meanwhile, Zelensky’s own position has been weakened by the domestic corruption scandal, and Russia’s president has long questioned his legitimacy as leader.
The corruption scandal has rocked Ukraine this month, with investigators linking several leading public figures to an alleged $100m (£75m) embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.
The two anti-corruption agencies, Nabu and Sap, said they had uncovered an extensive scheme to take kickbacks and influence state-owned companies including state nuclear energy firm Enerhoatom.
Domestically, the corruption inquiry probe is being welcomed, but internationally it leaves Ukraine’s negotiating position in a potentially perilous state.
Russian officials involved in the draft peace plan have talked up the corruption claims, which have alarmed European Union allies. Ukraine is a candidate to join the EU and a report earlier this month highlighted doubts over “commitment to its anti-corruption agenda”.
Among Ukrainians, Andriy Yermak’s own popularity has nose-dived. MPs from all parties, including his own, have been calling for his sacking, initially for what they saw as his inflated power for an unelected official, but more recently, the burgeoning corruption scandal.
Recent polling suggests 70% of the public want him to resign.
A number of suspects have already been charged over the scandal that has outraged public opinion because of allegations that money was diverted from key infrastructure projects vital for safeguarding Ukrainian power supplies.
Russian attacks have badly damaged Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and Ukrainians across the country have had to cope with only a few hours of electricity a day.
In his interview late on Thursday, Yermak acknowledged that pressure on him to stand down was “enormous… The case is fairly loud, and there needs to be an objective and independent investigation without political influence”.
Zelensky has already fired two ministers and several suspects have been detained in the scandal. One of the president’s former business associates, Timur Mindich, has fled the country.
He was co-owner of the TV studio Kvartal 95 where Zelensky’s acting career took off before he was elected president.
Despite not being implicated and denying any involvement, Yermak has struggled to distance himself from the scandal.
