West worried about Yermak’s growing influence – Bloomberg
2 August 2024 15:44
Bloomberg has published a detailed article on the growing influence of the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. This is causing concern among Kyiv’s Western allies, Bloomberg writes.
The journalists claim that Yermak, a former film producer, has become the sole “gatekeeper” to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wielding unprecedented influence over the country’s foreign policy and military planning.
According to the newspaper, Yermak’s growing influence has been accompanied by the resignations of many senior officials, including the speaker of parliament and the governor of the National Bank. This raises concerns about the excessive concentration of power in the hands of a small group of people around the president.
As a result, Ukraine’s allies, including NATO, the EU and the IMF, have expressed concern about the transparency of decision-making in the Presidential Office. They fear that further centralisation of power could slow down necessary reforms, especially in the fight against corruption and strengthening the rule of law.
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The article notes that Yermak has played a key role in all major military decisions, including the replacement of the commander-in-chief, arms supplies, and negotiations over security guarantees. Some officials have compared his role to that of a CEO, where Zelenskyy is the chairman of the board.
Yermak himself rejects the criticism, arguing that he only coordinates the work and carries out the president’s instructions. Zelenskyy defends his aide, calling him a “powerful manager” and rejecting accusations of excessive concentration of power.
As noted in the article, Western partners are closely monitoring personnel decisions in Ukraine. In particular, Bloomberg mentions the resignation of Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, which caused concern in the United States.
The publication also quotes some Western officials who acknowledge that the role of the head of the Presidential Office in Ukraine has always been vulnerable to speculation and note Yermak’s reputation as a man who knows how to achieve results.
