Andriy Yermak, considered the second most influential man in Ukraine and the chief of staff of President Volodymyr Zelensky, resigned on Friday shortly after anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine conducted searches at his residence. Zelensky announced the resignation in his daily speech, emphasizing the need for a "restart" of the President's Office.
Yermak confirmed that he is cooperating with the authorities in the investigation, which is related to an alleged bribery scheme in the energy sector. The searches were carried out by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, and the exact reason for them has not been disclosed. Yermak's resignation complicates Ukraine's position in peace negotiations with the United States, considering his role in the recent discussions in Geneva.
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