Ukrainska Pravda learns who could replace Yermak as head of Zelenskyy's office
The most likely candidates to take over as head of the Ukrainian President's Office are Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President's Office for Defence, sources in the government have told Ukrainska Pravda.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Ali Baba and the Forty Statesmen: How Andrii Yermak lost his position as the president's right-hand man and avoided charges
Quote from the article: "As of the start of this week, the most likely candidates according to Ukrainska Pravda sources were Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President's Office for Defence."
Details: The sources also told Ukrainska Pravda that the role may be offered to First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia, who is currently involved in negotiations with the United States.
"His appointment could shift the focus of the role from controversies and domestic intrigues to major international work, which could help stabilise the political situation," the article says.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is unlikely to move to the President's Office for two reasons: firstly, Svyrydenko herself would regard it as a step down, and secondly, overhauling the entire Cabinet of Ministers would demand considerable effort.
Background:
- On 28 November, Ukrainska Pravda reported that officers from NABU and SAPO were conducting searches at Yermak's office in the government district. Ukrainska Pravda journalists managed to record around 10 employees from NABU and SAPO entering the government district.
- Yermak confirmed that the search was taking place at his home and said he was ready to assist the investigation. According to UP, he had not been served with a notice of suspicion as of the morning.
- Poland said that corruption investigations in Ukraine are "bad news" from the Polish point of view, as they do not make the current peace talks any easier.
- Zelenskyy later announced that he had accepted Yermak's resignation as head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and that the institution will now undergo a reboot. The president said he would hold consultations with potential candidates on Saturday.
- Yermak subsequently announced that he was joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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