Inside Ukraine’s presidential office: Andriy Yermak’s crucial role amid war

In the initial days following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the atmosphere within the presidential compound in Kyiv was one of intense vigilance and resolve. Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy kept assault rifles close at hand, prepared to defend their position should Russian forces breach the compound.

According to an article by Financial Times, an aide recalled that the weapons were intended either to facilitate a last stand or to ensure a dignified resistance rather than capture. “I wasn’t scared,” Yermak said. “I have thought about this moment… but I didn’t worry about myself. I was fearful for my family and the Ukrainian people.”

In the early hours of the invasion, it was Yermak’s phone that rang with a call from the Kremlin, as Russian officials sought to pressure Kyiv into surrender. On the line was Dmitry Kozak, deputy chief of staff to President Vladimir Putin, who urged Yermak to convince Zelenskyy to concede or face overwhelming military force. Yermak firmly rejected the demand and ended the call.

Yermak’s influence within Ukraine’s war effort extends beyond diplomacy. According to Ukrainian officials involved in military planning, Yermak has at times overruled military leadership and exercised significant authority over battlefield operations. One notable example was the battle of Bakhmut, a strategic city in the Donbas region with historic significance dating back to its establishment as a fortress under Ivan the Terrible in 1571.

Despite recommendations from frontline commanders to conduct a strategic withdrawal, Yermak and Zelenskyy chose to hold Bakhmut as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and determination. “Bakhmut wouldn’t fall; it couldn’t,” reflected the narrative fostered by the president’s inner circle. The city endured months of relentless and brutal fighting, with Russian forces mounting continuous assaults and sustaining heavy losses. The fierce defense became emblematic of Ukraine’s resistance, capturing international attention.

On December 20, 2022, Zelenskyy, accompanied by Yermak, made a secret and risky visit to the frontline in Bakhmut. The following day, Zelenskyy addressed a joint session of the United States Congress, presenting a tattered Ukrainian flag signed by the troops defending the city. The moment was met with a standing ovation, underscoring the symbolic importance of Bakhmut as Ukraine’s "Alamo."

Behind the scenes, however, some Western officials and Ukrainian commanders expressed concern about the high casualties and questioned the strategic value of holding the city. Critics described the decision as being politically driven rather than purely military, with resources heavily committed for limited tactical gain.

Yermak’s role in Ukraine’s leadership also includes diplomatic achievements. In 2019, he orchestrated a high-profile prisoner exchange with Russia, securing the release of filmmaker Oleh Sentsov and 34 others. Yermak personally traveled to Moscow to collect the prisoners, a gesture he recalls with both pride and humility. “I’m not thinking that I’m some hero,” he said. “I’m just… look, I think that I am doing what I have to do.”

By early 2020, Zelenskyy appointed Yermak as his chief of staff, further solidifying their partnership.

Since the outbreak of war in February 2022, Yermak and Zelenskyy have worked closely within the presidential compound in Kyiv—a building once home to the Communist Party’s central committee. Its opulent interior, marked by crystal chandeliers and marble columns, contrasts sharply with the sandbags now reinforcing its windows and corridors, reflecting the tense and precarious environment in which Ukraine’s leadership operates.

Together, Zelenskyy and Yermak continue to navigate the immense challenges facing Ukraine, balancing military strategy, diplomatic engagement, and national morale in a conflict that has drawn global attention and support.

By Vafa Guliyeva