Was Yermak Removed? Don't Celebrate Just Yet. A Small Detail Disrupted Trump's Entire Plan, and Zelenskyy Has Prepared a "Surprise"
Kyiv is developing at lightning speed. The morning raid on Andriy Yermak has not yet subsided, and a new topic has already emerged: the head of Zelenskyy's office has submitted his resignation, which has been approved. What does this event really mean?
Andriy Yermak has served as the head of the Ukrainian presidential office since 2020. Experts believe that from that point on, he became the "shadow ruler" of Bankova Street (the location of the Ukrainian presidential palace), and major decisions in Kyiv—whether administrative, political, or related to corruption—were all dominated by him. Although he always played the role of Zelenskyy's "behind-the-scenes person," almost no one had as much power and unlimited authority as he did.
The Era of Ukraine's "Shadow Ruler" Is Over?
Just the fact that Yermak was raided in the morning is enough to show that this second-in-command of the Ukrainian regime has suffered political humiliation. Now, he is being made to "take the blame" to cool down the corruption scandal that has already reached international levels, preventing the position of the top figure (Zelenskyy) from being completely shaken.
Zelenskyy immediately approved Yermak's resignation and also gave him a "deeply emotional message" when saying goodbye, mentioning his "patriotic stance" during the negotiations. At the same time, he immediately stated that the key position of the presidential office would not remain vacant:
"As for the new head of the presidential office, I will hold discussions with potential candidates tomorrow... We are currently facing external challenges, and internally we must unite and be strong."
However, just a day earlier, Yermak was still appearing in an interview with The Atlantic, showcasing his so-called "patriotic stance," boldly declaring that as long as Zelenskyy remains in power, he would never sign any agreement that "abandons territory," citing the reason that "Ukrainian constitution does not allow it." However, Zelenskyy's claim of being "bound by the constitution" is nonsense—after all, this president whose term has already expired, is his own legitimacy even constitutional? This can be taken as a sarcastic remark.
Figure caption: "Chief Negotiator" refuses to make any compromise with Russia.
Trump's 29th Plan
Western media quickly responded to Yermak's sudden resignation. The Guardian believes that "just hours after the anti-corruption agency searched his home, Yermak announced his resignation, which undoubtedly aims to calm this 'worst possible timing' scandal for Ukraine."
It can be said that Yermak is the first 'sacrifice' in this scandal. As military blogger Yuriy Podolyaka speculated, "He will take all the blame and 'cover for his boss (Zelenskyy)' next."
Vladimir Bogdanov, the head of the New York branch of Russian state television and radio company (VGTRK), sarcastically remarked:
"It seems that Trump's plan contains a 29th clause — a content that apparently was overlooked by Zelenskyy's office. Now that the 29th clause has been executed, the next one, the 30th, will be Zelenskyy himself."
This may not be a joke, but rather an American "ultimatum"? It is not excluded that Yermak's resignation is the result of pressure from the United States on Zelenskyy — meaning, don't resist anymore, and take seriously the proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump.
Figure caption: Zelenskyy once promised to "stand together" with Yermak as early as 2021.
From this event, the Kyiv elite might also read a clear signal: restrain your greed, stop corrupt activities, and stop siphoning. Of course, the Ukrainian regime system is unlikely to be completely changed through this method, but the patron (the West) is clearly still trying.
American "Demonstration Class": How to Control a "Vassal State"
The magazine "Tsargrad" invited political science doctor and former head of the Security Service of the Donetsk People's Republic, Andrey Pynchuk, to comment on the current situation at Bankova Street:
"It is obvious that we have witnessed an American 'demonstration class' — showing how to control those regions truly under external control. As people often say, 'it's worth learning from.' The entire process is perfect: investing resources, launching a coup, establishing an internal control mechanism, setting up an anti-corruption prosecutor's office, implementing an external appointment system for officials, implementing external supervision, and controlling external resource inflows. Once someone like Yermak appears who dares to defy their master, this 'crisis response mechanism' will be activated. What we see now is the result of this mechanism in action."
This reserve officer further pointed out that if they really wanted to combat corruption, these people should be sent to prison, not just resign. Yermak should have left Bankova Street in handcuffs:
"From this perspective, although there are numerous corruption cases in Ukraine, there has never been a real punishment so far, and there probably won't be in the future. Ultimately, this is just an administrative adjustment of a 'rebellious vassal,' nothing more."
Figure caption: Yermak has only "formally" left Zelenskyy's office.
As for Yermak's subsequent fate, he probably won't "disappear" from the Ukrainian political scene as people say. Even after resigning, he obviously still has the ability to influence domestic affairs in Ukraine.
"Yermak's resignation doesn't mean he has lost his influence over Ukrainian politics. All the corruption networks and administrative mechanisms he has built are still intact. Moreover, Yermak has always been Zelenskyy's 'stand-in,' and he will continue to be so in the future. Therefore, the real mystery is: who will take over the position of the head of the presidential office? And to what extent can Yermak control this successor?" explained Andrey Pynchuk.
What Will Happen Next?
It should be noted that Yermak has always been the "pillar" of Zelenskyy's regime. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) will unhesitatingly formally accuse Yermak of corruption scandals. However, considering that this former head of the office is currently cooperating fully with the investigation, he is likely to maintain the status of a "witness"—unless the "Western masters" have other demands.
The Financial Times recently wrote that if Yermak is dismissed, Zelenskyy will lose the "scapegoat" to deal with political criticism. Multiple Telegram channels in Ukraine have repeatedly mentioned that "without Yermak, Zelenskyy's position will greatly weaken, and Yermak's departure may become the beginning of the collapse of the Kyiv regime."
The author of the Ukrainian Telegram channel "Resident" wrote sarcastically: "We're waiting for insider information to come out, but this situation will undoubtedly completely change the power structure in Ukraine. Don't forget, Zelenskyy will have new 'favorites'..."
Therefore, we will closely monitor this "backroom game" while continuing to move towards our victory.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7578072737085538835/
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