Corruption and Zaluzhny’s dismissal: Trump’s ex-adviser reveals reasons for dissatisfaction with Yermak in the US
фото: Reuters
In the US, there is a growing belief that skepticism about Zelensky stems from growing dissatisfaction and doubts about his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
Steve Cortez, a former advisor to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, wrote about this in his column for “Ukrainian Truth”.
“Although Yermak is not yet well-known in the United States, for those who are well-aware of the extent of his power and tactics, the reputational risks are growing – both for Zelensky himself and for Ukraine as a whole,” Cortes writes.
According to him, a recent Politico article titled “Enough of Andriy Yermak from Washington” with an equally sharp subtitle “Ukrainian President’s Chief Assistant Delays Kyiv’s Plans to Cooperate with American Officials” caused deep surprise, as Politico generally covers Zelensky’s activities positively.
“This media is almost always an extremely reliable public relations tool for the American ruling elite, that is, it supports corporate interests, as well as Washington’s supposedly wise foreign policy,” Cortez noted.
He also added that Politico systematically promotes US involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian war. And the fact that this media outlet openly spoke out against Yermak came as a surprise to Trump and Vance voters.
Cortes points out that the most problematic issue regarding Yermak is the constant, substantiated allegations of systemic corruption that constantly surround the head of the OP.
“When law enforcement officers investigated the corruption of Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, they had reliable evidence of his losses to the state of a billion hryvnias and recommended removing him from office for the duration of the investigation, and Yermak refused to fire this scandalous official, who continues to work under the shadow of suspicion,” said the former Trump adviser.
He added that in the US, such headlines cause outrage.
Cortez said that most Americans cannot pay their bills, so the idea of sending huge sums of money and equipment to distant Ukraine does not find widespread support among them, especially against the backdrop of reports of corruption.
As noted by Trump’s former advisor, Yermak also became a decisive factor in the dismissal of the heroic general who led the defense of Ukraine from 2022 to 2024, General Valery Zaluzhny.
“The Head of the President’s Office removed a person who was extremely respected and who was so confidently considered not to be connected to corruption that General Zaluzhny had an incredible level of support of 92%,” he added.
Cortes, citing a 2025 poll, continues that, amid suspicions about Yermak, Zaluzhny “is confidently ahead of Zelensky in a potential presidential race.” He expressed surprise, because America should trust a government that “fires Zaluzhny but leaves Chernyshov.”
Cortez writes that Democrats are taking a more pro-Ukrainian stance, while Republicans are taking a more cautious approach and urging Washington to focus on domestic issues. However, Yermak unites the two parties, which are usually at odds.
“In a strange sense, I think we Americans should thank Andriy for providing us with the necessary moments of unity! Because we have an exceptional case of bipartisan agreement: our deep distrust and dislike of this corrupt character – Yermak,” he points out.
Cortes notes that “the good citizens of Ukraine” deserve leaders who can provide full American financial and military support, as well as actively seek a peaceful solution that both Ukraine and Russia can agree to.
“America’s contribution is also significant, especially in the financial sphere and in the exchange of intelligence. The courageous Ukrainians, armed with American weapons and supported by the unprecedented intelligence and technological capabilities of the United States, managed to repel a much larger army and state. For this partnership to continue, systemic corruption simply cannot continue, and such unreliable behind-the-scenes manipulators as Andriy Yermak must not remain at the top of Ukrainian power,” Cortes summarized.
Earlier, The Economist reported that the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, is likely behind potential personnel changes in the Government, which could happen in the near future .
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