Posted on 11/29/2025 12:09:12 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
This is a positive development for Ukraine.
A political earthquake just hit Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak—the chief of staff and right-hand man of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky—resigned on Friday after anticorruption watchdogs raided his home and office. Such investigations have heated up in Ukraine the last few weeks but until now haven’t burned anyone nearly as prominent as Yermak, whose political power arguably rivaled that of the president himself.
Assuming you’ve read my article on Yermak from October, you can probably guess that I consider this a salutary development. Depending on how Zelensky handles the crisis, Yermak’s ouster could signal a beginning of the end of the war with Russia and even herald a post-war Ukraine that is sovereign, free, and democratic.
If that seems hyperbolic, consider the multifaceted and extremely damaging role that Yermak has played in Ukrainian politics since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
He has consolidated power to an outrageous extent, sidelining political opponents, appointing allies to top government positions, and controlling access to the president. Yermak is even reported to sleep near Zelensky in the presidential bunker, an indication of the strange codependence that has developed between the two men.
When word broke recently about a $100 million embezzlement scandal in the energy sector, suspicions arose that Yermak was implicated. Long before this latest scandal, Ukrainians had worried that Yermak was using his immense power to revitalize the corrupt, post-Soviet oligarchic structures for which their country is sadly known.
He’s done little to disabuse them of this notion. This summer, Yermak devised a crackdown on the very watchdogs that are now investigating him—a power grab that Zelensky reversed following street protests. “Yermak out!” the demonstrators yelled. “F— Yermak!”
Yermak hasn’t always responded well to dissent. He’s even created lists of domestic political enemies for national security organs to sanction.
This month, Zelensky,...
(Excerpt) Read more at theamericanconservative.com ...
At this point, I’d be happy with an announcement that we’re walking away from the whole mess while providing protection for any Ukrainian officials that are willing to provide documentation od US politicians on the kickback rosters.
About the publisher...
” The American Conservative exists to advance a “Main Street” conservatism that opposes unchecked power in government and business, promotes the flourishing of families and communities through vibrant markets and free people, and embraces realism and restraint in foreign affairs based on America’s vital national interests.
The American Conservative was founded in 2002 to reignite the conversation that conservatives ought to have engaged in since the end of the Cold War, but didn’t. TAC’s founders—Scott McConnell, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Taki Theodoracopulos—believed, in different but compatible ways, that what passed for conservatism in the United States wasn’t conserving much of anything.”
The brain trust of modern Paleo Conservatism.
On to the next corrupt Uke politician. Where there’s two, there’s more.
I worked projects in over 40 countries around the world. Oil and gas.
Ukraine is hands-down the most country on the planet.
Everyone there is corrupt. All. There were no exceptions.
It was impossible to work there. I have never worked in any country more corrupt than Ukraine.
The bribes and payoffs going through Z’s office were made by the USA
And by the Euroweenies.
We Americans need to be repaid from these crooks.
I don't think we should hold our breaths.
No kidding! It’s more likely that American taxpayers will be obliged to cough up many billions of $$$ to “rebuild” Ukraine once this “special military operation” is over and done with.
On to the next corrupt Uke politician. Where there’s two, there’s more.
I have to admit that I am surprised an “anti corruption” effort is actually rooting out corruption. Usually when these are dog and pony shows in a dictatorship or strong central government (like during a war).
Thanks...hadn’t known that. No wonder the Ukraine Parliament voted in July to reduce the independence of the organizations that search out corruption. The people took to the street in the aftermath for days until Parliament gave them their independence and authority back to them.
Maybe he’ll start getting better advice?
When are the Biden’s going to be indicted?? Their energy grift still is waiting prosecution.
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