Andriy Yermak is not a popular politician, but he is an effective manager
During war, he built channels with allies, unlocked aid, ensured fast decisions
You don’t have to like him, but his job is brutal. No one else does it better
Politico calls him “the enigma of Yermak”. 1/
In the early 2000s, Yermak wasn’t in politics.
He handled legal issues for Kvartal 95 — Zelenskyy’s media company — and worked for Sanahunt, a luxury fashion group.
He also produced B-grade action films like The Fight Rules. 2/
He handled legal issues for Kvartal 95 — Zelenskyy’s media company — and worked for Sanahunt, a luxury fashion group.
He also produced B-grade action films like The Fight Rules. 2/
Today, he runs the most Zelenskyy office in Ukraine — with few checks.
Ex-ministers say he understands Zelenskyy’s psychology better than anyone.
He decides who sees the president. Some diplomats call him a gatekeeper. 3/
Ex-ministers say he understands Zelenskyy’s psychology better than anyone.
He decides who sees the president. Some diplomats call him a gatekeeper. 3/
When Trump invited Zelenskyy to the White House, Yermak was there.
He sat in the Oval Office beside Trump and Pompeo — and took notes.
“He didn’t speak. He watched everything,” a former US official recalled. 4/
He sat in the Oval Office beside Trump and Pompeo — and took notes.
“He didn’t speak. He watched everything,” a former US official recalled. 4/
He now leads Ukraine’s talks with the US, Germany, and even the Vatican.
Behind closed doors, Yermak drives prisoner exchanges, sanctions coordination, and lobbying for weapons.
He’s central to the war effort — but operates from the shadows. 5/
Behind closed doors, Yermak drives prisoner exchanges, sanctions coordination, and lobbying for weapons.
He’s central to the war effort — but operates from the shadows. 5/
Critics say he holds too much power.
Some accuse him of blocking ambassadors and centralizing intelligence oversight.
One former official said: He filters everything before it gets to the president. 6/
Some accuse him of blocking ambassadors and centralizing intelligence oversight.
One former official said: He filters everything before it gets to the president. 6/
Defenders argue Ukraine needs someone like him in wartime.
One NATO diplomat told Politico that many oppose him [Yermak] because he’s effective. He gets things done, even if he makes enemies doing it. 7/
One NATO diplomat told Politico that many oppose him [Yermak] because he’s effective. He gets things done, even if he makes enemies doing it. 7/
Yermak says the job is not about him.
Yermak: I came with Zelenskyy. I’ll leave with him. My mission is to help the president — not to build my own career. 8X
Yermak: I came with Zelenskyy. I’ll leave with him. My mission is to help the president — not to build my own career. 8X
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