Gray Cardinal or Zelensky’s Right Hand: What’s Behind Yermak’s Political Ambitions
29 May 00:01
The head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, has rejected speculation that he is planning his future political career, as well as claims that he controls the government in Ukraine. He said this in an interview with Politico, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The journalists of the publication spoke to several current and former Ukrainian officials, as well as people from the close circle of the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak.
Former presidential spokeswoman Yulia Mendel said that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yermak had established a trusting relationship at the beginning of their cooperation, in particular, through joint training in the gym. One former official who resigned from his post due to disagreements with Yermak called him a “brilliant psychologist” who could predict Zelensky’s desires.
“He offers ready-made solutions, does not burden the president with details and does not create problems,” the source said.
Another former senior official, who used to have a close relationship with the head of state but lost his position after a conflict with Yermak, believes that he has a “mental connection” with the president.
Mykola Kniazhytskyi, a member of the European Solidarity party, said that Yermak is better versed in the transformations of US foreign policy and “understands Trump’s environment better than Zelenskyy,” which makes him an effective negotiator for Ukraine.
At the same time, Politico reports that Yermak is unhappy that the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, despite having “independent access to the president,” still remains in his position, although the head of the OP allegedly would like to see him fired.
As early as September 2023, MP and member of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Serhiy Rakhmanin suggested that there was tension between Budanov and Yermak.
The wave of resignations in the state leadership, including the resignations of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, has drawn criticism from the opposition and the civil society sector.
Daria Kaleniuk, executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, says that Ukraine does not have a real Cabinet of Ministers, but instead “has a quasi-Cabinet of Ministers headed by Yermak.” Critics also believe that the head of the OP may have his own political ambitions for the future.
Rumors about Yermak’s political ambitions are fueled by his active role in the international arena. Some believe he is preparing for an independent career after Zelenskyy. A former minister who has clashed with Yermak claims that he seeks recognition and “physically suffers” when he remains in the shadows.
However, political analyst Ruslan Bortnyk believes that without Zelenskyy, Yermak has no political future due to his lack of popularity and support from the elites.
Yermak himself categorically denies such assumptions, emphasizing his loyalty to the president and the fight against Russian aggression.
“I entered politics together with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and I will leave with him,” Yermak said.
“My task is to help him fulfill his duties as President of Ukraine. For me, it’s not about positions or a political career,” he added.
He also denied accusations of “total control” over the government.
“These accusations are false,” he said. “My task is to ensure the effective functioning of the presidential office and to support the head of state in fulfilling his constitutional powers. This is not a separate vertical of power, but a working tool of the president. Especially in times of war, when decisions must be made quickly and clearly.”
“The president has the right to rely on those he trusts and those who are able to work seven days a week without compassion for themselves. I am grateful for this trust and I am doing my best to ensure that the team functions as a single mechanism in extremely difficult conditions,” he added.
Commenting on criticism of the centralization of power, Yermak said:
“The state is a complex structure where powers are always distributed. Even with the greatest desire, it is physically impossible to centralize everything. Ukraine does not have a historical tradition of authoritarian rule – society simply will not allow it. And President Zelensky understands this very well.”
Speaking about the future, he emphasized:
“Now any talk about the future after the war is inappropriate,” Yermak said. “While the struggle continues, it is simply irresponsible to talk about personal political plans. All resources, time and efforts should be focused on one thing – stopping Russian aggression. If we do not do this, no political scenario will matter.”
