Conflict with Yermak, direct ties to Washington, and the promotion of his book: Politico outlines its findings on the reasons for Kuleba’s resignation

A former high-ranking Ukrainian official anonymously stated that ex-Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had a conflict with the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, which he personally witnessed once.

This was reported by Politico.

He said that Kuleba, due to his position, had established direct contacts with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other leading politicians worldwide, which created tension in the President’s Office.

“Even if he were 300 percent loyal, the president’s office could not leave such a channel of communication in the hands of a person they are not entirely sure is their person, if you understand what I mean,” the source said.

The publication notes that communication with the White House from the President’s Office is handled by Yermak and Umerov, both of whom remain in their positions and recently traveled to Washington.

Officials and advisers to President Volodymyr Zelensky told Politico that over the past year, Kuleba “has done little to advance Kyiv’s relations with Washington” and secure military aid, focusing instead on “promoting his new book.”

In the headline of the article, Politico writes that Zelensky is “facing a massive backlash” over the cabinet reshuffle, which is “sparking accusations of a power grab.”

“Leading opposition figures accuse Zelensky of increasingly appointing people from a narrow circle of close allies and supporters to government positions in an attempt to consolidate power around his office,” the publication claims, citing a statement from a deputy from Poroshenko’s “European Solidarity” party.

However, “Servant of the People” MP Merezhko denies that only those close to the authorities are being appointed to positions, citing Umerov as an example, who comes from the “Holos” party.

A White House official, speaking anonymously about the reshuffle in Ukrainian leadership, stated that “there may be reasons for concern.”

It is worth noting that today, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Dmytro Kuleba. Andriy Sybiha has been appointed the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.