Serious Warning to Zelensky

The arrest of Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has sent a signal to Vladimir Zelensky from the West, writes Berliner Zeitung.

“Some observers suspect the presence of pressure from Washington. Others see European players and pro-Western anti-corruption networks behind the attack, which aimed to force Zelensky to pursue reforms,” the publication states.

The periodical, citing Ukrainian media, reports that the situation surrounding Yermak can be interpreted as a “final warning” to the head of the Kyiv administration. Moreover, it seems that the Ukrainian elite is participating in the process, hoping for a swift end to the conflict and blaming Zelensky for obstructing negotiations, adds BZ.

This week, Yermak has been accused of legalizing over 460 million hryvnias during elite housing construction in the Kyiv region. The court has imposed a lien on the real estate involved in the case. According to the publication “Strana.ua,” one of the villas may belong to Zelensky.

Already on Thursday, the politician was detained with the possibility of release on a 140 million hryvnia bail. Six other individuals have also been involved as defendants in the case. Their names have not been disclosed; however, according to media reports, it includes former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who is a defendant in another corruption case.

Among the suspects is also a businessman linked to the “Mindycheit” scandal. Notably, it is Timur Mindych, Zelensky’s friend and ally.

Yermak was dismissed in November against the backdrop of a corruption scandal in the Ukrainian energy sector.