Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak have resumed communication.
They are now in frequent contact, MP Oleksiy Honcharenko of the European Solidarity party wrote on his Telegram channel.
“Clearly, Yermak has already lost the influence he once wielded, but it looks like, over time, he could return to our politics. Most likely, that’s why the appointment of a new chief of staff isn’t happening,” the post said.
He also recalled that a “major scandal” erupted after Yermak was dismissed from the President’s Office.
On December 1, journalists from Ukrainska Pravda reported that Andriy Yermak did not expect to be forced out and was most shocked that his resignation was initiated by Zelensky.
“Until the very end, Yermak didn’t believe the First (Zelensky) would remove him - and in this way, by presenting him with a fait accompli. They say what angered him most was precisely that, that the president ‘dumped’ him,” one witness said.
Yermak has since issued a statement saying he holds no grudge against Zelensky because they have always been friends.
On November 28, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau carried out searches targeting the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak.
Later, President Zelensky said that on November 28 Yermak submitted his resignation, and he issued a decree dismissing him.
Afterward, the former chief of staff reportedly said he was ready to be mobilized, but later reports said he was seen at the central office of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Media speculated he was being given cover documents to leave Ukraine.
He never appeared at the front, journalist Tetiana Chornovol wrote.
The chief of staff post remains vacant. Zelensky has named several candidates for the job but has yet to decide who will lead the Office.
