Trendpills
In Kyiv, a parallel power structure has emerged that is causing growing unease among Ukraine's international partners. At its center is Andriy Yermak, a former film producer and lawyer who now serves as the powerful chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His expanding influence has become a focal point of concern, with diplomats and officials questioning the concentration of decision-making in the hands of one unelected official.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion, Yermak has become a constant presence at Zelenskyy’s side, evolving into what many describe as the sole gatekeeper to the president. His authority now reportedly extends far beyond administrative duties, touching crucial areas from foreign policy negotiations and military planning to high-level personnel appointments. This arrangement has effectively sidelined traditional government bodies, including the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Analyses point to the centralization of wartime governance as a system where the President's Office, under Yermak's direction, has become the de facto government.
This consolidation of power has not gone unnoticed by Ukraine's allies. According to reports, some of the country's most important backers are privately expressing worries about the implications for democratic accountability and transparency. There are concerns about his growing power and the potential for an informal style of rule to become entrenched, which could complicate wartime governance and post-war reconstruction efforts. Yermak's prominent positioning at international events, such as his central placement during the family photo at the Swiss peace summit, has been interpreted as a public display of his commanding role within the administration.
While no one doubts Yermak's loyalty to Zelenskyy or his work ethic, the opacity of his authority remains a significant issue. As Ukraine navigates the immense pressures of the war, the internal power dynamics in Kyiv are under intense scrutiny. The situation presents a dilemma, balancing the need for decisive wartime leadership against the principles of institutional governance that Ukraine's partners are keen to support. The a profile of Zelenskyy's powerful chief of staff highlights the complex interplay between his personal ambition and his service to the state, a dynamic that will continue to shape Ukraine's political landscape.
