00:00It's a delicate moment for Ukraine, as the country navigates a crucial juncture in peace talks.
00:06But on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed his close ally and one of the country's key negotiators.
00:14The office of the president of Ukraine will be rebooted.
00:18The head of the office, Andrei Yermak, has submitted his resignation letter.
00:23Russia really wants Ukraine to make mistakes.
00:26There will be no mistakes on our part.
00:27Our work continues.
00:30Andrei Yermak came into politics with Zelenskyy in 2019 and is widely viewed as one of the most influential figures in Kyiv.
00:39But public support for Yermak has reached a breaking point, with two-thirds of Ukrainians saying they distrusted the top aide in a March 2025 poll.
00:49The former film producer has been criticized for exercising too much sway in government affairs
00:54and was accused earlier this month of involvement in a $100 million kickback scheme in the strategic energy sector.
01:01On Friday morning, federal anti-corruption investigators reported that they had raided Yermak's apartment.
01:07The dismissal of Andrei Yermak now is very necessary.
01:11It is the right step, but it's even somewhat overdue.
01:15Because the public, the opposition, and our international partners have long been sounding the alarm
01:20that Andrei Yermak had taken on too many powers, particularly acting as a vice president.
01:25The scandal comes at an inopportune moment for President Zelenskyy.
01:31As Ukrainian negotiators are expected to continue talks with the U.S. this weekend.
01:36With Yermak now sidelined, Zelenskyy said he would hold consultations on Saturday over his replacement.
01:42Andrei Yermak now sidelined, Zelenskyy said he would hold consultations on Saturday over the weekend.
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