Ukraine is not just another war front. It is effectively the frontier of the collapsing reminiscent of the unipolar order and the emerging multipolar order. By and large the grand chessboard of the global geopolitical sphere. Although Cardinals are non-existent on a chessboard, Ukraine had one nonetheless. In the shadowed corridors of Kyiv’s power, there weren’t many who loomed without accountability and oversight. But among those who did, there was one considered de facto Grey Cardinal of wartime Ukraine. That is none other than President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff and confidant, Andriy Yermak.
But as of 28/11/2025, he was sacrificed on the altar of power by the president himself.
For years, Yermak wasn’t just an aide; he was the architect of Ukraine’s Western narrative, the backchannel to Biden, Macron, and Scholz, and the gatekeeper of billions in military and humanitarian aid.
Now, as whispers of his unceremonious ouster grow louder, amplified by U.S. administration’s scrutiny, European fatigue, and Russian military pressure, his fall isn’t just a personnel change. It’s a strategic sacrifice by Zelenskyy to save his own legitimacy as the war enters its most dangerous phase.
The Scapegoat Strategy: Throwing Yermak to the Wolves
Zelenskyy’s move is textbook political triage. With U.S. aid stalled, European unity fracturing, and accusations of corruption swirling around Ukrainian aid distribution, someone must pay. And who better than the man who managed the flows?
Yermak oversaw the $175 billion in Western aid since 2022. While much went to artillery, drones, and salaries, enough vanished into murky procurement deals, inflated contracts, and shell companies to fuel doubt, even if Zelenskyy’s inner circle wasn’t personally enriched. The optics are damning. While soldiers begged for body armor on Telegram, luxury cars appeared in Kyiv driveways.
By distancing himself from Yermak, Zelenskyy attempts to cleanse his image, casting himself as a wartime leader betrayed by aides, not a participant in systemic rot. Underneath, there is the adept to address the growing concerns and outcry against the Ukrainian corruption scandal. It’s the oldest trick in the autocrat’s playbook: preserve the throne by sacrificing the vizier.
The U.S.-Led “Peace” Gambit: Timing Is Everything
Yermak’s potential exit coincides suspiciously with Washington’s continuous push for negotiations. The Trump team is adamant to get a peace deal done and put this gruesome conflict behind and claim another global peace prize. The Trump administration had duly noted President Zelensky’s backpedaling as one obstacle against his push for peace. What better way to manage such discomfort rather than slaying the shepherd !
Yermak, seen as too hawkish, too independent, too Ukrainian in his demands,has since become a liability. His removal signals Kyiv’s willingness to bend to American timelines, even as Moscow senses weakness and brings out the deep fractions among the Ukrainian political elites.
And Russia is watching, patiently. In the past month, Russian assaults have intensified along the entire front, from Pokrovsk to Kupiyansk to Zaparohiza, not to conquer, but to break Ukrainian morale before winter. Putin knows, if the west doubts Ukraine’s integrity, aid dries up. And without aid, collapse follows.
Europe’s Irrelevance: All Talk, No Teeth
Meanwhile, the EU flounders. Its much-hyped plan to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian assets has collapsed under legal and diplomatic pressure. Belgium refuses to weaponize sovereign wealth. Many other members dither either openly or secretly. Brussels issues statements while Kyiv runs out of shells.
The truth is brutal. Europe cannot win this war. It lacks unity, industrial capacity, and political will. Its “peace” initiatives are theater, designed to soothe domestic audiences, not alter battlefield realities. Without U.S. leadership, Europe is a spectator with a checkbook, and even that checkbook is running low.
What Yermak’s Fall Really Means
Losing Yermak doesn’t just weaken Zelenskyy, it unmasks him. Yermak was more than a chief of staff. He was Zelenskyy’s strategic anchor, his link to intelligence networks, oligarchic power centers, and Western capitals. Without him, Zelenskyy risks becoming what critics long feared. A performative leader, strong on video, weak in the trenches.
And if the West sees Ukraine as corrupt, chaotic, or leaderless, the narrative shifts from “defending democracy” to “pouring money into a black hole.” That’s the real danger, not Russian tanks, but Western disillusionment.
Zelenskyy may buy himself months with this move. But peace won’t come from scapegoats. It will come from credible governance, transparent aid use, and a unified Western front. Until then, Yermak’s fall is not a reform but a spectacle. It’s damage control.
And in the fog of war, damage control rarely wins battles. It only delays defeat.
Dhanuka Dickwella is a distinguished Sri Lankan poet, author, and multifaceted professional whose work spans literature, geopolitics, and social activism. Holding a Master’s degree in International Relations, he has established himself as an expert in geopolitics and geoeconomics, fields that inform his analytical and creative endeavours.
His professional portfolio includes significant editorial and journalistic roles: he serves as the Executive Editor of The Asian Reviews magazine, a platform dedicated to bridging the literary worlds of East and West. Additionally, he contributes as a guest writer for the Chicago-based Armenian Mirror-Spectator, focusing on geopolitical issues in the Caucasus region, and as a columnist and guest speaker for Force, an Indian magazine addressing security and defense matters. Dickwella’s career in public service is equally notable. Dhanuka Dickwella is the Chief Coordinator for Canada for the Panorama International Literature Festival 2026. He has been actively involved in Sri Lankan politics, having served as a grassroots politician, political campaign director, and council member of a local government body in a rural Sri Lankan town. Prior to his political engagements, he founded and led a foundation dedicated to empowering youth and supporting underprivileged communities, reflecting his commitment to social equity. Currently, he advises youth groups on political activism and broader political trends, leveraging his extensive experience to foster the next generation of civic leaders. Beyond his analytical and political pursuits, Dickwella is a celebrated poet and blogger whose literary work explores the complexities of human emotion and experience. His debut poetry collection, Voices of Lust, Love and Other Things, showcases his ability to weave personal narrative with universal themes. An ardent climate and social activist, he champions sustainable development and social justice, driven by a vision of a better world for future generations. A proud Sri Lankan patriot, Dickwella is also a devoted father to his daughter, whose influence is a cornerstone of his personal and creative life. Dhanuka Dickwella’s diverse achievements reflect a rare synthesis of intellectual rigor, artistic expression, and civic dedication, positioning him as a prominent voice in both Sri Lankan and global contexts.
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