“Parallel Government” – How the Strings Behind Zelenskyy Are Gaining Power

The rise of Zelenskyy's chief of staff

After Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election, he brought a number of new faces into his administration, including Andriy Yermak, a former lawyer and film producer with no prior government experience. Yermak was appointed head of the Office of the President, a powerful position that oversees the president's staff and agenda. Under Yermak's leadership, the Office of the President has become increasingly influential in Ukrainian politics. Yermak has been accused of sidelining other top officials and concentrating power in his own hands. He has also been criticized for his close ties to Russia and his alleged involvement in corruption.

Yermak's ties to Russia

Yermak has long had close ties to Russia. He worked as a lawyer for a number of Russian companies and has been accused of being a Russian agent. In 2019, he was accused of meeting with a Russian official to discuss a peace deal in eastern Ukraine that would have been favorable to Russia. Yermak has denied these allegations, but they have raised concerns about his loyalty to Ukraine. Some Ukrainian officials have accused him of putting Russia's interests ahead of Ukraine's.

Yermak's alleged corruption

Yermak has also been accused of corruption. In 2020, he was accused of taking bribes from a Ukrainian oligarch in exchange for political favors. Yermak has denied these allegations, but they have damaged his reputation.

The concentration of power in the Office of the President

Since Yermak became head of the Office of the President, the office has become increasingly powerful. Yermak has been accused of sidelining other top officials and concentrating power in his own hands. This concentration of power has raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the Ukrainian government. Some critics have accused Yermak of creating a "parallel government" that is not subject to the same checks and balances as the rest of the government.

The lack of transparency in the Office of the President

The Office of the President has been criticized for its lack of transparency. The office has refused to release information about its budget, its staff, and its activities. This lack of transparency has made it difficult to hold the office accountable for its actions.

The lack of accountability in the Office of the President

The Office of the President has also been criticized for its lack of accountability. The office has not been subject to any meaningful oversight from the Ukrainian parliament or the judiciary. This lack of accountability has allowed the office to operate with impunity.

The implications for Ukraine

The rise of Yermak and the concentration of power in the Office of the President have raised concerns about the future of Ukraine. Some critics have accused Yermak of undermining the rule of law and creating a "parallel government" that is not subject to the same checks and balances as the rest of the government. These concerns are particularly troubling in light of Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Russia has annexed Crimea and is supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. A weak and unstable Ukrainian government would be more vulnerable to Russian aggression.

Conclusion

The rise of Yermak and the concentration of power in the Office of the President are serious concerns for Ukraine. These developments have raised concerns about the transparency, accountability, and independence of the Ukrainian government. They have also raised concerns about the future of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.