Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities search properties linked to Zelenskyy’s chief of staff – Europe live

8.40am GMT If you’re wondering how serious for Ukraine and Zelenskyy this could get, let’s just say that Yermak has overnight literally fronted Ukraine’s response to the latest peace talks, with an interview in The Atlantic magazine in the US. Characterised as “Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, lead negotiator and closest aid throughout the full-scale war with Russia,” Yermak insisted that “not a single sane person today would sign a document to give up territory.” “As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory,” he told the magazine by telephone from Kyiv. He was also directly involved in the talks in Geneva over the weekend. Updated at 8.51am GMT 8.23am GMT Morning opening: Zelenskyy's number two sees apartment searched as part of anti-graft probe Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities are searching properties linked to president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (L) pose for the press, as they meet with Spain’s King Felipe at the Zarzuela Palace, in Madrid, Spain earlier this month. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters In a post on Telegram, Yermak confirmed the authorities were given “full access” to his apartment, and that he is cooperating with the officers, with his lawyers present. In a joint statement, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said the searches were “authorised” and linked to an unspecified investigation. “NABU and SAPO are conducting investigative actions (searches) at the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine,” they said. “Investigative actions are authorised and are being carried out within the framework of an investigation.” It was not immediately clear what was the investigation about. Reuters noted that erlier this month, the two agencies unveiled a sweeping investigation into an alleged $100m kickback scheme at the stage atomic energy company, involving Zelenskyy’s ex-business partner. Related: Ukraine’s energy sector corruption crisis – what we know so far and who was involved While Yermak has not been named a suspect in the investigation, but opposition lawmakers and some members of Zelenskyy’s own party had called for his dismissal as part of Ukraine’s worst wartime political crisis, the agency said. Earlier this year, Ukraine had been engulfed in a political crisis over Zelenskyy’s controversial plans to reform the anti-corruption authorites, which ultimately had to be reversed after intense international criticism, including from the European Union, which continues to say that the fight against corruption remains one of Ukraine’s key task on its path to join the bloc. The searches come at a tricky time for Ukraine amid growing pressure from the US to agree to a peace deal with Russia, and any perceived or real sense of wrongdoings at the top of the government could undermine Ukraine’s position further. This could be explosive. I will bring you all the key updates throughout the day. It’s Friday, 28 November 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live. Good morning.