Exclusive: Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff Yermak ran ‘troubling’ back-channel with Trump’s Susie Wiles

Ukraine’s former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak held frequent private communications with US Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Ukrainian and US officials told the Kyiv Independent that the channel often caused problems because Yermak treated polite, non-committal replies as firm promises and reported them to President Volodymyr Zelensky as achievements.

Officials said the misunderstandings strained Ukraine’s dealings with the Trump administration and contributed to Yermak misreading the White House before the Oval Office confrontation. A US administration source also alleged Yermak sidelined envoy Keith Kellogg to build ties with Steve Witkoff as corruption allegations emerged. The contacts reportedly continued until Yermak resigned after anti-corruption investigators raided his home in November 2025; Wiles later left her post after the Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.