Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains mostly popular in the United States, though his approval ratings have plunged from the sky-high levels he enjoyed as recently as two years ago.
Here on the US side of the Atlantic, it increasingly appears that skepticism regarding Zelensky largely flows from growing dismay and doubts about his powerful chief-of-staff, Andriy Yermak. Though Yermak is not yet widely known in the United States, for those who are well aware of his power and his tactics, the reputational risks rise – for Zelensky himself, and for Ukraine overall.
Politico recently published a scathing critical piece on Yermak, titled "Washington Has Had It with Andriy Yermak." The subtitle to the article was just as brutal, assailing this very controversial Ukrainian politician: "the top aide to Ukraine’s president may be setting back Kyiv’s agenda with U.S. officials."
Such a declaration by Politico is almost difficult to believe, for those of us involved at the highest levels of media and politics in the United States.
Why?
Well, because Politico as a platform has been positively adoring in its overall coverage of Zelensky. In fact, the German-owned Politico is nearly always a super dependable public relations arm of the American ruling class – meaning it backs corporate interests, as well as the supposedly wise foreign policy establishment of Washington D.C.
As such, Politico has steadfastly promoted ever-increasing U.S. involvement in the war in Ukraine. For voters in the States who subscribe to the America First agenda of President Trump and Vice-President Vance, it is astonishing that even a biased news site like Politico would suddenly turn so openly on a Yermak, who is regarded in the U.S. as the effective "co-president" to Zelensky.
The most problematic issue regarding Yermak involves ongoing, credible assertions of a systemic corruption that seem to always orbit this powerbroker of Kyiv. For example, when Ukrainian authorities investigated Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov for corruption, they pursued credible evidence that he "caused the state losses of more than UAH 1 billion through a scheme to undervalue land." In fact, the NABU even recommended that Chernyshov be removed from his key government position and required to post a large bail payment during the investigation. But, Yermak refused to fire this embattled official, who continues to operate under a shadow of suspicion.
For Americans, these kinds of headlines are infuriating. Even though the United States boasts the wealthiest and largest economy in the world, government debt in the States balloons to true crisis levels.
Right now, most working-class citizens of America regularly report great difficulty paying their personal bills. As such, the idea of sending giant sums of money and equipment across an ocean to Ukraine is not an easy sell with regular Americans, especially if the recipients of this aid are considered corrupt.
In addition to constant corruption allegations, Yermak was the deciding factor in firing the heroic general who led the defense of Ukraine from 2022-2024, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Yermak fired a man who was so widely admired, and so broadly regarded as corruption free, that General Zaluzhnyi enjoyed an almost impossible 92% approval rating in a large survey of Ukrainian citizens. Consequently, as suspicions swirl around Yermak, perhaps it is no surprise that Zaluzhnyi leads Zelensky handily in a potential presidential race, according to polling from earlier this year.
So, how can America trust a government that fires Zaluzhnyi but not Chernyshov?
Turning back to the U.S., American views on Zelensky have become mostly along domestic American partisan lines. The Democrats favor nearly endless assistance to Zelensky while Republican voters embrace more cautious policies, and demand a Washington focus on domestic U.S. concerns, generally.
But when it comes to Yermak, the partisans actually align in dismissing him as a "bipartisan irritator" who almost magically unites normally argumentative Americans. In a strange sense, I guess we Americans should thank Andriy for providing needed moments of unity! We find a rare moment of two-party agreement: our deep distrust and dislike for this corrupt character, Yermak.
But any laughs aside, the deadly serious business of defending Ukraine necessitates an approach that earns the trust of all Americans, across party lines.
That urgency only elevates as attacks from both Russia and Ukraine intensify in recent weeks. Accordingly, more than ever, the good citizens of Ukraine deserve leaders who can secure the full commitment of the United States to defend Ukraine through arms and financial support, while simultaneously aggressively pursuing a workable peace with both Moscow and Kyiv.
From an American perspective, it seems clear that the U.S. can only remain the most important and dependable ally of Ukraine if the government in Kyiv is considered trustworthy, transparent, and believable. The sacrifices of the Ukrainian people have inspired the world, and everyday Ukrainians take daily risks that are truly heroic, in defense of their nation.
The contributions of America also stand out, especially in the financial and intelligence-sharing realms. Brave Ukrainians, armed with American weapons and propelled by the unmatched intelligence and technology capabilities of the U.S., have successfully fought back against a far larger army and nation. For that partnership to persist, systemic corruption simply cannot continue, and untrustworthy backroom manipulators like Andriy Yermak should not reach the summits of power in Ukraine.
Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote.
He is a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance, plus a former commentator for Fox News and CNN.
This article was posted in Ukraine by Pravda: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/2025/07/8/7520681/
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. EU Creates $2.7 Billion Fund To Help Ukraine Recover From War - UPI
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.
Von der Leyen named as contributors Italy, Germany, France, Poland and the European Investment Bank. She said, "I trust others will be eager to join.” The package includes $2.1 billion in loan guarantees and $677 million in grants. It is expected to mobilize up to $11.7 billion in investments in Ukraine.
2. Russia 'Ready to Assist Tehran in Refilling' Uranium Stockpiles, Foreign Minister Says - The Washington Free Beacon
Russia’s foreign minister said that his country is prepared to help Iran replenish its uranium stockpiles, offering Tehran a path to a rebuilt nuclear program in the wake of the U.S. and Israeli campaign to prevent the Islamic Republic from building a bomb.
"Moscow is ready to assist Tehran in refilling its depleted uranium stocks," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly said during a meeting with BRICS member nations in Brazil. Leaders of both the United States and Israel have stated that they are open to further strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure should the Islamic Republic attempt to rebuild its program.
3. China’s Producer Deflation Worsens As Weak Demand Persists - Bloomberg
China’s producer prices fell the most in nearly two years, overshadowing a modest improvement in consumer prices and adding to the urgency to tackle deflationary pressures.
Factory deflation persisted into a 33rd month, with the producer price index falling 3.6% from a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said. The decline was the most since July 2023 and sharper than any economists had forecast. The consumer price index unexpectedly increased 0.1% and ended a four-month falling streak, although it likely reflected the short-term effect of government subsidies rather than a lasting recovery in confidence.
4. India And China Strive To Reset Ties But With Caution - BBC
The visit of two senior Indian officials to China late last month was seen as a sign of a thaw in bilateral relations, but larger challenges and suspicions remain.
In June, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also made separate visits as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meetings. At the heart of India-China tensions is an ill-defined, 2,100-mile-long disputed border. Rivers, lakes and snow-caps along the frontier mean the line often shifts, bringing soldiers face to face at many points, sometimes sparking skirmishes.
5. Chinese DJI Drones Sold Out In U.S. As Tariffs Cause Supply Crunch - Nikkei Asia
Drones made by China's DJI are disappearing from digital shelves in the U.S. as President Donald Trump's tariff policy makes exporting Chinese products to the country difficult.
All of its drone series, including Mavic, Air and Mini, are sold out on the company's online shop. Market conditions and the impact of tariff policy make it difficult to secure inventory or imports in the U.S., DJI said in response to a question from Nikkei.
6. Pentagon Bets Big On Rare Earths with MP Materials Stake - TIPP Insights
The Department of Defense will become the largest shareholder in MP Materials after agreeing to purchase $400 million in preferred stock, the company announced. Shares surged more than 40% following the news.
The investment will fund expansion at Mountain Pass, California — the only operational rare earth mine in the U.S. — and boost domestic magnet production. These magnets are vital for military hardware such as F-35 jets, submarines, and drones.
Editor's Note: MP Materials was the featured stock in our newsletter on June 27.
7. Israel Will Strike Iran Again If Threatened, Defense Minister Says - Reuters
“Israel’s long arm will reach you in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and anywhere you try to threaten or harm Israel. There is no place to hide,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said at an air force graduation ceremony.
Israel launched a 12-day air war against Iran in June that raised fears of a broader regional conflict. Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites during the campaign, citing concerns that Tehran was nearing the development of a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies.
8. Iranian Official Threatens Trump With Drone Strike At Mar-a-Lago - TIPP Insights
An Iranian official has warned that President Trump could be targeted by a drone while sunbathing at Mar-a-Lago. “It’s very simple,” said Mohammad-Javad Larijani on Iranian state TV, adding Trump can “no longer sunbathe” safely in Florida.
An online campaign calling itself "Blood Pact" has reportedly raised over $40 million to fund retribution against Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fars News Agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, confirmed the initiative and urged religious protests worldwide.
9. EU Eyes Quick Trade Deal As Trump Announces More Tariffs - D.W.
The European Union said it could strike an outline trade deal with the United States within days — just as President Donald Trump ramped up threats of new tariffs.
Trump, widening a trade war that has unsettled the global economy, announced a day earlier he would slap a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon roll out long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
10. Trump Announces 50% Tariffs On Copper, Brazilian Imports - TIPP Insights
President Donald Trump has announced a new 50% tariff on U.S. copper imports and a 50% duty on goods from Brazil, both to start on August 1.
Trump first broached the copper tariff during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, setting off a scramble by companies to import as much copper as soon as possible from Chile and other major suppliers. He blamed the decline of the U.S. copper industry on past administrations, saying copper was needed for semiconductors, aircraft, electric vehicle batteries, and military hardware.
11. Brazil Vows To Match U.S. Tariffs After Trump Threatens 50% Levy - BBC
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was responding to Wednesday's threat by his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, to impose a 50% import tax on Brazilian goods from 1 August.
In a letter, Trump cited Brazil's treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro as a trigger for tariff-hike. Bolsonaro is currently on trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup against Lula after being defeated by him in the 2022 election. “This Trial should not be taking place," he wrote, calling on Brazil to immediately end the "witch hunt" against the former president.
12. South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Detained Again - D.W.
South Korea's disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol returned to prison as prosecutors investigate accusations of insurrection after he declared martial law last December.
He is being held in a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center, where he spent 52 days earlier in the year before his release four months ago on technical grounds. The Seoul Central District Court said it approved a second warrant because of concerns Yoon could seek to destroy evidence.
13. Poland Asks EU To Probe Grok Over 'Offensive,' 'Erratic' Statements - UPI
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski asked the EU to investigate Grok, the AI chatbot integrated into the X social media platform.
Gawkowski penned a letter to EU Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen to ask her to open an investigation into Grok's recent "offesnive remarks" and "erratic and full of expletive-laden rants." Comments made by Grok allegedly include posts that celebrate Hitler, among several other anti-Semitic and hateful statements. X has reportedly taken the posts down.
14. Nvidia Becomes First Company To Reach $4 Trillion Marketcap - TIPP Insights
Chipmaker Nvidia has become the world’s first company to reach the Milestone $4 trillion market capitalization, with its shares rising over 22% this year as demand for artificial intelligence technologies surges.
Nvidia had already surpassed Apple’s $ 3.9 trillion record set in December 2024 and surged by 40% since May. Confidence in AI stocks had been shaken by the emergence of the DeepSeek artificial-intelligence model developed in China to run on much less powerful chips, with a much lower energy consumption, and President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
15. Measles Cases In U.S. Hit 1,288, Highest Since Disease Eliminated In 2000 - UPI Health
The number reported in the first six months of this year is the most since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
Cases have been reported in 38 states, with 753 in Texas, where outbreaks were first reported in January. Measles, which is the most contagious infectious disease known to humans, spreads through the air via respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash. Over-the-counter fever reducers or vitamin A may alleviate symptoms.
