Criminal case against Yermak seen as risk for Zelenskyy

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said the criminal case against former Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak could force President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to distance himself from his former close associate, he said in an interview with Radio NV on May 13.

“The very fact that there is now a criminal case, I think, will separate the paths of Yermak and Zelenskyy,” Fesenko said.

According to the political analyst, there have been reports that the two maintained personal contact even after Yermak left office, although he noted he could not independently confirm that information.

“Now that there are official suspicions against Yermak, he is becoming toxic in a legal sense as well,” Fesenko added.

He also described the Dynasty cooperative, which appears in the criminal case, as a potential political risk for Zelenskyy.

Fesenko suggested that the Ukrainian president would likely distance himself from both the investigation and Yermak, not only politically but also personally.

At the same time, the analyst said lawyers representing Zelenskyy and Yermak could coordinate a joint legal strategy.