The resigned Ukrainian presidential advisor Andri Yermak has assured that It’s completely innocent of the corruption scandal for which he is being investigated and for which was forced to resign this past Friday and has announced that he is going “to the front” to fight against Russia.
“I am an honest and decent person”Yermak said in a text message to the American newspaper ‘NY Post’, sent a few hours after announcing his resignation.
Early on Friday morning, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) announced the start of “investigative proceedings (searches) at the headquarters of the presidential office.”
These records took place days later that a alleged plot around the Ukrainian energy sectorin an operation that He received the name ‘Midas’. Anti-corruption agencies then searched the headquarters of the state atomic energy company, Energoatom.
In the text, Yermak regrets the lack of support he has received. “I have been desecrated, my dignity has not been protected,” Yermak said, before remembering that he has put the defense of Ukraine above all else.
“I have stayed in kyiv since February 24, 2022”he wrote, referring to the beginning of the invasion of Russia. “I am disgusted by all the filth directed at me, and the lack of support from those who know the truth disgusts me even more,” he added.
In the midst of this situation, and given that it is not his desire to “cause problems” for President Zelensky, he has declared his intention to join the fight against Russia. “I’m going to the front and I’m prepared for any retaliation,” has settled.
Yermak’s resignation has represented a huge setback for Zelensky, who has not only lost his advisor, but also the one who was his lead negotiator in peace talks with the United States to facilitate peace with Russia.
Furthermore, the ‘Midas’ case once again highlights the endemic problem of corruption in Ukraine, considered one of the main obstacles to overcome in its accession process to the European Union.
Zelensky recomposes the peace delegation
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has announced his new peace delegation marked by the absence of his already resigned advisor Andri Yermak, who He left office this Friday amid a corruption scandaland who is already in the US to discuss the current situation of the negotiations.
Yermak, until now head of the negotiation team, has given his place to Rustem Umerov, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and former ‘number two’ of the team. Umerov will have as his main assistant Yermak’s until now deputy, Alexander Bevz.
He bulk of the delegation andIt will consist of the head of the General Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kirill Budanov, the deputy military head of the Ministry of Defense, Vadim Skibitsky, the head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Hnatov and the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleg Ivashchenko.
This delegation has traveled to the United States to meet today in Florida with the US special envoy, Steve Witkoffand Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and discuss the evolution of events, as confirmed by the president of Ukraine.
“Rustem presented a report this Saturday with a clear mission: quickly and rigorously define the steps necessary to end the war. Ukraine continues to work with the United States as constructively as possible, and we hope that the results of the meetings in Geneva will be realized in the United States. “I look forward to our delegation’s report on its work this Sunday,” the Ukrainian president said. Witkoff will lead a US delegation to talks in Russia next week.
Ultimatum a Kiev
Last week, the United States issued an ultimatum to kyiv to accept the terms of a deal that appeared to favor Russia by Thanksgiving. The document ended up in a more diluted version by compartmentalizing the thornier issues after intense diplomatic activity in Geneva and under pressure from kyiv’s European allies.
Europeans have been excluded of the details of many aspects of the talks and only participate in bilateral talks where their input is absolutely necessary at this stage, such as defining security guarantees with the United States.
Yes ok Washington has touted progress In talks with Ukraine, they still face the same obstacles as in previous rounds: what satisfies Ukraine is likely to be a deciding factor for Russia, and vice versa.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated on Thursday its demand that the Ukrainian Army withdraw from the areas of the Donetsk regionwhich Moscow has not been able to take by force, an idea that kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
