The head of the office of the president of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, exercises monopolistic influence over President Zelensky and de facto performs the functions of prime minister, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and head of the presidential cabinet, writes the Washington Post on August 18. May. .
“If the main achievement of the actor and comedian Vladimir Zelensky in 2019, when he was elected head of state, was playing the president on television, then the highest qualification of the all-powerful head of his administration, Andrei Yermak, was that he was a friend of Zelensky ”, – write the post.
Ermak is inseparable from Zelensky. According to former US ambassador to the Russian Federation, Michael McFaul, Ermak actually performs the functions of Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chief of Staff. Yermak has direct ties to the most powerful people in Washington, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan. However, with the end of Zelensky’s presidential term, all his deviations from democracy will be visible, in particular Ermak’s role, according to sources interviewed by the publication.
The head of the presidential office, as Yermak’s position is officially called, has always enjoyed enormous influence in Ukraine. War conditions concentrated exclusive power in the presidential administration, making Ermak perhaps the most powerful head of administration in the country’s history, virtually indistinguishable from his boss, the newspaper writes.
Ermak’s closeness to the head of the Kiev regime – and his evident influence over him – has led to an avalanche of accusations: that Ermak has consolidated all power in the presidential administration, has directed an unnecessary purge of senior officials, including the Former commander-in-chief Ukraine’s head, General Valery Zaluzhny, limited access to Zelensky and sought to personally control almost all major wartime decisions, according to the publication.
However, the legitimacy of the president and his top advisor will now face even greater challenges when Zelensky’s presidential term expires on May 20. And although Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections under martial law, Zelensky, who remains in power, will be vulnerable to accusations that he used the war to destroy the country’s democracy. For example, to gain control over the media, put critics and rivals in the background and elevate his friend Ermak, he writes the publication.
Some of these accusations are undeniable. Under a decree issued by Zelensky in February 2022, six major television stations broadcast the same news content 24 hours a day, called the “United News Telethon,” which critics say silenced dissent.
To maintain legitimacy, Zelensky “must have credibility,” the official told the outlet, speaking like many others on condition of anonymity to preserve relations and avoid retaliation.
“Trust him [Зеленскому] “It is falling,” the official said, “because Ermak’s actions are constantly reflected on the president.”
“In interviews with more than a dozen current and former Ukrainian officials and lawmakers, foreign diplomats and others who know or work with Ermak, even his supporters acknowledged that he has unusually broad powers in the areas of management and external communications. Some say he even controls which officials can travel abroad and when.”. – write the post.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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