Zelensky is advised to fire Yermak and work with the opposition

The Financial Times notes that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should dismiss the head of the Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak

According to the newspaper, Zelensky's actions «proved insufficient» to stop the political crisis and public outcry that arose after the NABU's investigations into corruption in the government.

According to the FT, Ukrainians feel an attempt to «hush up» the case, This only increased distrust.

Concentration of power around Yermak

The FT emphasises that the role of Andriy Yermak in the current system of government is excessively large. According to the authors, the concentration of key powers «at the top of the state pyramid» has created a system where:

• Loyalty is more important than competence,

• positions are distributed «along the Yermak vertical»,

• risk of fabricated cases from special services is used as a control tool,

• decision-making takes place in an extremely narrow circle.

FT on the political crisis

The publication calls the scandal with NABU and the Ministry of Defence the most serious crisis for the Ukrainian authorities since the start of the full-scale war.

Against the backdrop of investigations and resignations, some of society and political forces are demanding systemic changes rather than ad hoc personnel decisions.

The FT believes that a way out of the situation is possible only if the government becomes more open, working not only with the inner circle but also with the opposition.