The former head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Ermak was fired last week after a grand corruption scandal that rocked the country, against which Russia launched a full-scale war nearly 4 years ago.
„Ukrainska Pravda“ revealed that Ermak was extremely angry when he was fired by Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sources from Zelensky's team revealed that Ermak erupted in a hysterical tirade against the president for half an hour, showering him with insults, reproaches and accusations.
Andriy Ermak was also surprised that no one defended him – even people he himself helped rise to power.
A person close to Ermak said he sincerely did not believe Zelensky would fire him. Ermak was the second most powerful man in Ukraine and was considered a gray cardinal. Ultimately, from Zelensky's perspective, this was clearly an easier, if unpleasant, breakup.
Zelensky cannot afford to have a bad image with Western partners regarding corruption - especially with Ermak, who was on the negotiating team with the Americans.
Ermak wrote on Telegram last week that investigators were searching his home and that he was cooperating fully. "The investigators are not encountering any obstacles. For my part, I am cooperating fully," he said. It is not the first time since the war that Zelensky has fired a high-ranking official.
Earlier this month, anti-corruption authorities launched a major investigation into the country's energy sector in connection with an alleged scheme to divert $100 million through deals involving Ukraine's national nuclear power company "Energoatom". The scheme involves former high-ranking officials and a former business partner of President Volodymyr Zelensky.