Zelensky's Top Man Is a Big Problem
One threat to Ukraine's democracy is coming from inside the house. The policy on Russia-Ukraine seems to vacillate depending on which foreign leader President Donald Trump lately deems the biggest irritant and obstacle to peace: Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky or Russia's Vladimir Putin.
However, Trump should direct his frustrations against a lesser-known figure: Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff and right-hand man. Since Russia's February 2022 invasion, Yermak has become as powerful as the Ukrainian president, if not more so.
- Yermak has wielded his enormous influence in the Zelensky government to control the flow of information between Kiev's leadership and Western capitals about the war.
- He has pushed a hardline negotiating stance that many analysts consider counter-productive.
- Yermak has also sidelined ministers in a bid to control Ukraine's diplomatic channels.
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Author's summary: Andriy Yermak poses a threat to Ukraine's democracy.