Andrii Yermak, the Chief of Staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resigned today, Friday.

In a speech published on Telegram, Zelensky announced a plan to “restart” his office and confirmed that Yermak submitted his resignation earlier today.

“I am grateful to Andrii who always represented Ukraine’s position in negotiations exactly as he should. It was always a patriotic position. But I don’t want rumors and speculation,” emphasized the Ukrainian president.

Zelensky said he will hold consultations tomorrow about who could take over the role.

He explained that the move was made because Ukraine needed “internal strength” during a critical period of negotiations for a possible peace agreement.

Earlier today, Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, conducted a search in the Chief of Staff’s office, who is also one of the main negotiators for peace.

It is noted that a large-scale investigation by Ukrainian authorities into corruption in the public sector is ongoing, with an extensive operation in the energy sector.