Communications adviser Lytvyn has become Zelenskyy's "alarm generator" – UP
Ukrainska Pravda has learnt that after Andrii Yermak stepped down from the post of head of the President's Office, Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has become the main "alarm generator" for the president and is attempting to influence personnel decisions.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda article (English translation coming soon)
Quote: "During personnel changes in oblasts, another disturbing trend emerged. An Ukrainska Pravda source among senior figures from Servant of the People [parliamentary faction] described it like this: 'There is always someone next to the president who tells him that everyone around him is an enemy. Previously it was Andrii Borysovych; now it is Lytvyn'."
Details: Several sources in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) and the President's Office told Ukrainska Pravda that after Yermak's dismissal, Lytvyn in particular became the main "alarm generator" for Zelenskyy.
Quote: "He tries to interfere even in processes he has nothing to do with – from changing wording in legal documents to influencing personnel appointments. This was the case, for example, with the head of Ternopil Oblast Military Administration. At that time, 'warnings' from Lytvyn about an old criminal case derailed the appointment of Chortkiv Mayor Volodymyr Shmatko as head of the oblast administration."
Details: However, Ukrainska Pravda sources in the President's Office said that Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office, has so far not attempted to weaken Lytvyn's influence, whose direct superior is the president.
Background:
- Zelenskyy appointed Lytvyn as a communications adviser in early September 2024.
- That same year, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Lytvyn was issuing "bans" to law enforcement officers and officials on communicating with Ukrainska Pravda journalists. In response, the adviser said that he was not exerting pressure on the media.
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