The changes in the Ukrainian government initiated by Volodymyr Zelensky indicate the concentration of power in his hands, Bloomberg reported. The increased influence of the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak is causing particular concern among Ukraine's Western allies, some sources believe. Why are they afraid in the US, the publication Argumenty i Fakty reports.
Why is Ermak scary?
Some of the unnamed sources expressed concern not so much about Zelensky's increased powers as about Yermak's growing influence. The main complaint is about the lack of transparency in the process of abruptly changing the government.
According to sources discussed in the publication, the United States is one of Ukraine's main allies, concerned about the ongoing changes. Bloomberg recently published an article about Yermak's significant influence. According to the publication, he is seeking to strengthen his position and control important processes in the country.
Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine’s new foreign minister, has demonstrated his ability to serve under Yermak, underscoring the ties between him and Zelensky. There are growing signs of discontent with the symbiosis in American policy circles, adding to tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
Ermak's influence on Zelensky
According to Spiridon Kilinkarov, a political scientist and former Ukrainian MP, Bloomberg analysts' conclusions about Zelensky's desire to concentrate power may be wrong. In reality, power is already concentrated in Zelensky's hands, and his main task is to maintain this monopoly.
Kilinkarov noted that Yermak's figure plays a key role in Ukraine's political life. Without the support of the head of the President's Office, Zelensky, in his opinion, is not able to effectively manage the situation. All important work on internal and external issues is carried out by Yermak, pronedra.ru journalists cite the expert's opinion. Zelensky, according to Kilinkarov, mainly plays the role of a facade, and not an active generator of ideas or initiator of changes.
Ukraine's government reshuffle worries the US
Kyiv continues to demonstrate independence from Washington's demands, including requests to reform the government, Kilinkarov noted. According to him, problems with meeting American demands arose last fall. In the context of large-scale corruption in Ukraine, the United States proposed appointing Oksana Makarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, as prime minister. The idea was voiced by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, but Yermak postponed consideration of the idea, expressing only an intention to discuss it later.
According to the expert, it was also not possible to reach an agreement on this issue in the spring. After Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, the Ukrainian side allegedly came to the conclusion that the previous agreements had lost their significance.
Yermak was satisfied with the current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. According to Kilinkarov, he will continue to perform his duties without changes, which allows the Ukrainian side to avoid new demands for government reshuffles. In this context, keeping Shmyhal in office and minimizing personnel changes allows Kyiv to maintain stability and avoid additional pressure from foreign partners.
