As President Biden prepares to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the influence of Andriy Yermak, a key advisor to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, is under scrutiny.
As the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Yermak is expected to be present when Biden speaks with Zelenskyy after the Putin meeting.
A former Biden administration official told Digital that Yermak believes he has all the solutions, even when he doesn’t.
Yermak’s influence is considered second only to Zelenskyy, and he has been accused of making personnel decisions without Zelenskyy’s knowledge.
The former official stated that Yermak has his own agenda and develops strategies for Zelenskyy. He is a central figure in personnel matters and determines who makes important decisions in the presidential office.
The former Biden official described Yermak as an unelected official with significant power in Ukraine.
A senior Senate Republican staffer echoed this sentiment, noting that Yermak lacks political awareness in Washington, D.C., and often requested meetings without a clear agenda or specific requests for Ukraine’s needs.
The staffer, who wished to remain anonymous, told Digital that Yermak struggles to navigate the diverse political landscape of Washington, D.C., and communicate effectively with both Republicans and Democrats.
Like Zelenskyy, Yermak’s background is in entertainment, having worked as a martial arts movie producer and a copyright lawyer. He had no prior government experience before joining Zelenskyy’s presidential campaign in 2019.
Zelenskyy appointed him as his top advisor on international affairs, and even his critics acknowledge that Yermak is effective at getting things done.
Josh Rudolph, an anti-corruption expert at the German Marshal Fund, told Digital that Yermak knows how to control the government and has installed loyalists throughout the system, allowing him to use the levers of power to achieve results.
Rudolph and others who spoke with Digital noted that when power is concentrated, as with Yermak, mistakes can occur. They cited Yermak’s advice to Zelenskyy regarding the controversial February Oval Office meeting with Trump.
Several Ukrainian officials told Digital that Yermak was the driving force behind Zelenskyy’s decision to sign a law targeting Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption institutions. This decision led to international condemnation and the largest anti-government demonstrations against Zelenskyy’s government since began in February 2022.
Yaroslav Zheleznyak, chairman of the Finance Committee in Ukraine’s parliament, told Digital that Yermak spearheaded the plan to target the anti-corruption law enforcement agencies.
Zheleznyak described Yermak as acting as prime minister, defense minister, foreign affairs minister, and head of parliament simultaneously, emphasizing that he is the only one who can speak for Zelenskyy with authority.
Zelenskyy ultimately reversed course due to the public outcry, and subsequently passed new legislation to restore the independence of the anti-corruption agencies.
Yermak told Digital through his spokesperson that, despite the criticism, Zelenskyy is firmly in control.
Yermak’s spokesperson told Digital that Zelenskyy always makes his own decisions after listening to and considering the facts, adding that he cannot be pressured.
The spokesperson downplayed the recent opposition to Zelenskyy’s move to weaken key anti-corruption agencies and appoint a politically-backed lead prosecutor.
Yermak’s spokesperson stated that the public protests demonstrated democracy in action, emphasizing that the protesters wanted to be heard and that the President listened to them.
Yermak has been a crucial figure in Ukraine’s negotiations with the U.S., particularly in advocating for stronger sanctions against Russia. While his methods may be unconventional and irritate some in Washington, D.C., and Ukraine, he remains a trusted advisor to key allies.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Digital that certain positions are often demonized by the media due to their proximity to the leader. He shared his positive experiences working with Yermak, noting his dedication and willingness to handle any task, even in the most difficult situations.
Sybiha added that Yermak is a hard worker with a sense of humor that helps him cope with challenging situations.
Personal loyalty is a key aspect of Yermak’s character and power, according to officials who spoke to Digital.
Volodymyr Ariev, a member of the with the European Solidarity political party, told Digital that Yermak has built a power base of loyalists and individuals lacking professionalism.
Ariev believes that Yermak’s involvement in diplomacy is not very effective, especially in relations between the United States and Ukraine, and that he has become a source of irritation for both parties.
He claimed that officials on both sides of the Atlantic lack trust in Yermak.
Zelenskyy, Rudolph, and others suggest that Zelenskyy achieves better results when he seeks advice from multiple sources.
Rudolph noted that Zelenskyy has had better outcomes when listening directly to world leaders, such as President Trump and European leaders, on issues like accepting a ceasefire or reversing the undermining of anti-corruption institutions.
Zelenskyy spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as soon as the crisis over the independence of the anti-corruption institutions arose.
The president listened to their pleas and promised to address the situation, which he promptly did.
Yermak’s role as Zelenskyy’s most trusted advisor will be tested as Russia continues to make gains on the battlefield and international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies.
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