Ukraine's allies worried about growing influence of Head of President's Office – Bloomberg

Renowned US financial media company Bloomberg has released an article about the role and actions of Andrii Yermak as Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, his growing influence, the concerns of Ukraine's allies, and the personnel decisions that Yermak may have been involved in.

Source: Bloomberg

Quote: "As Russia’s assault stretches deep into its third year, some of Ukraine’s international backers are growing concerned about just how much decision making is concentrated in the hands of 52-year-old Yermak, a one-time film producer, who has become the sole gatekeeper to the president [Volodymyr Zelenskyy - ed.] with a direct say in everything from foreign policy to military planning."

Details: In an interview with Bloomberg, Yermak denied his growing influence. 

Quote from Yermak: "I'm not involved in every job, I'm only coordinating. Yes, I'm very proud that the president asks my opinion, but he asks for my opinion because I get results."

The concerns about Yermak’s role come at a dangerous time for Zelenskyy, Bloomberg says. Firstly, the agency notes, there are concerns about whether support from allies will continue in connection with the US presidential election, and secondly, the Ukrainian president himself is vulnerable in terms of his presidential powers, which would have already expired if it were not for martial law in Ukraine.

Bloomberg notes that the idea that Zelenskyy does not have a proper mandate to lead the military operations in Ukraine is a point that is being relentlessly pushed by the Kremlin.

Quote: "But like most of the best propaganda, it taps into real questions over how viable it is to suspend the normal democratic process over the long run, especially with signs of frustrations with the government starting to emerge."

"This all is done simply to attack me," Zelenskyy said in a 3 July interview with Bloomberg Television, in which he called Yermak a "powerful manager".

The article also says that Yermak's "rise" has been accompanied by the downfall of many other senior officials, often at Yermak's hands, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

At the same time, Bloomberg writes, the reshuffling attributed to Yermak has raised concerns that any further hardening among Zelenskyy and his inner circle could "sap energy for badly needed reforms – even measures to fight corruption and bolster the rule of law," people familiar with the matter in Western capitals say.

"But Yermak’s mandate is broader than that of any of his predecessors. He’s been central in every key wartime decision: replacing Zelenskyy’s top general, sourcing weapons supplies, negotiating security guarantees, overseeing prisoner swaps and – at the Swiss summit – winning over the Global South to Kyiv’s cause," the article says.

Bloomberg writes that some officials compare Yermak's role to that of a chief executive officer, with Zelenskyy acting as chairman.

Quote from Yermak: "Of course I read and hear about people talking about my power, but please, tell me, how am I using this power? To work 24 hours, seven days, to take on more obligations and more risks." 

Yermak added that Zelenskyy "is a person who thinks it's important to listen and to know the different opinions. He always makes the decisions himself."

"Allies have been watching closely. The replacement of Ukraine’s popular top general, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, in February raised hackles in NATO capitals over a shakeup just as Kyiv confronted a fresh Russian offensive", Bloomberg writes.

Citing sources, the media outlet claims that in May, Yermak played an important role in the resignation of Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, an official who once had a direct connection to Zelenskyy and was close to the Biden administration.

"The presidential office failed to adequately explain the departure among other personnel changes, leaving foreign governments to puzzle over the move," Bloomberg wrote, citing sources.

Bloomberg says, citing sources, that Zelenskyy sometimes tolerates Yermak's "ruthless methods" because he considers him a problem-solver who offers quick and easy solutions without burdening the president himself.

Zelenskyy's trust in Yermak was on par with that of his wife, Olena Zelenska, Bloomberg's sources said, adding that Yermak even joined the couple on their overseas holidays before the war.

The article says that more recently, Yermak has been engaged in diplomatic activities as the architect of Ukraine's peace plan, which aims to bring allies outside the West on board with Kyiv's demands to end the war before negotiations with a more isolated Russia begin. 

"Despite the setback in Switzerland, Yermak said he’d press ahead in getting the backing of partners – with a follow-up (Peace) summit where Russia, though it dismissed the blueprint, could be present. Speaking to journalists days after the summit, the chief aide (Yermak) conceded that Ukraine is at a disadvantage when it comes to the Kremlin’s resources – but that Kyiv could still win," Bloomberg writes.

Read more: St Andrew the First-Called Apostle: how Andrii Yermak became Zelenskyy's right-hand man

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