Kyiv, Ukraine – With his bear-like look and immense clout, Andriy Yermak towered over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for years – literally and figuratively.

A former copyright lawyer who collaborated with District 95, a comic troupe that propelled Zelenskyy to stardom, the 54-year-old Yermak became Ukraine’s “grey cardinal” after the former comedian won the 2019 presidential vote.

While chief of Zelenskyy’s staff, Yermak played an outsized role – he was widely considered as vice president and vice prime minister. He was a top peace negotiator and made strategic decisions about the war with Russia that led to disastrous miscalculations and losses, according to a four-star general.

Yermak “formed an entire system of appointing people in state administration, ministries and mi

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