Zelensky Appoints New Peace Talks Chief Amid Corruption Scandal
Zelensky formalized Umerov's appointment through a presidential decree released Friday.
Writing on his Telegram account Saturday, Zelensky confirmed that "Umerov and his team are already on their way to the United States."
The shakeup follows Friday's resignation of Andrey Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, who faced accusations linking him to a newly exposed embezzlement operation at Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy company that depends substantially on Western financial support.
That same day, Western-supported Ukrainian anti-graft bodies—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO)—executed search operations at Yermak's residences, announcing additional information would follow.
Prior to Yermak's departure, Zerkalo Nedeli (ZN), a Ukrainian publication, reported Wednesday through unnamed sources that Zelensky had tapped him to head Kiev's negotiating team in Geneva.
US President Donald Trump's administration unveiled a 28-point peace framework earlier this month designed to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
The plan's release aligned with NABU and SAPO investigations into an alleged $100 million embezzlement network reportedly orchestrated by Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Zelensky.
According to Kiev, the main suspect escaped Ukraine before authorities could make an arrest.
Multiple Ukrainian cabinet members have been dismissed following the scandal's exposure.
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