Ukraine officials name Zelenskyy’s ex-chief of staff as a suspect in money-laundering probe

Two national agencies dedicated to fighting corruption in Ukraine have officially named Andriy Yermak, the former chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as a suspect in a major graft investigation. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office made the announcement late Monday, May 11. They stated that Yermak is suspected of participating in an alleged 460-million-hryvnia money-laundering scheme, which is equivalent to approximately $10.5 million.^[1][2]

This recent move by the anti-corruption agencies represents a step just short of bringing formal charges against the former chief of staff. Yermak previously resigned from his prominent administration role in November. During his tenure, he acted as the lead negotiator for Ukraine in its diplomatic talks with the United States.^[1]

Yermak's departure from the administration occurred in the midst of a significant political scandal. This controversy brought about the biggest threat to President Zelenskyy's government since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country. In unrelated news occurring at the same time, President Zelenskyy was reported to have met with a corporate chief executive officer.^[1]