Andrei Jermak. © Getty Images
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenski may release his influential chief of staff, Andrei Jermak, as a consequence of the outbreak of the "riot" in the parliament in connection with the extended corruption scandal, which allegedly links Jermak with a corruption operation worth about $100 million in the country's energy sector, as reported by many media and parliamentarians.
The Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities alleged at the beginning of this period that Timur Mindicz – a erstwhile business partner of Zelenski – and respective another officials had put force on contractors cooperating with the state atomic power plant operator Energoats to transfer 10–15% of the contract value in the form of bribes.
Opposition MP Jarosław Żelezniak claims that the surveillance footage suggests that Jermak – allegedly appearing under a pseudonym ‘Ali Baba’ – he was aware of the actions related to the affair which undermined Zelenski's legitimacy.
According to ‘Ukrainian Truth’, key characters close to Zelensk urge him to cancel Jermak.
Source in the Zelenski Party ‘The Servant of the Nation’ told the paper that "It is easier to identify those in parliament who do not request Jermak's resignation".
Opposition MP Alexey Goncharenko besides said that the organization members ‘The Servant of the Nation’ They placed Zelenský ultimatum, claiming that Jermak had to be removed from his post, otherwise they would leave the party.
He added that discussions in the parliament included speculation that Zelenski could fire Jermak as early as Thursday, and Oksana Markarowa, erstwhile Kiev Ambassador to the US, was listed as a possible successor.
Strana.ua suggested that Zelenski could defy the pressure, given that the fall of Jermak would be a political disaster.
The origin described Jermak as the chief mediator and executioner of Zelenski, overseeing both abroad and national affairs, and warned that his departure could endanger the government, as many ministers are closely linked to him.
Journalist Oliver Carroll reported that the planned talks in Turkey between Jermak and Steve Witkoff, a peculiar U.S. envoy to the mediate East and a key figure in the conflict resolution process in Ukraine, were cancelled, claiming that an American authoritative “he may not have been aware of the scandal he was active in.”
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/russia/627974-top-zelensky-aide-imminent-firing/
