Resignations in Ukraine Signal Deepening Crisis Amid Ongoing War

BALKANS AND EASTERN EUROPE, 1 Dec 2025

Diran Noubar – TRANSCEND Media Service

30 Nov 2025 – In a striking turn of events that echoes long-held predictions by some observers like myself, key figures in the Ukrainian government have begun to step down, highlighting the mounting pressures on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration. On November 28, 2025, Zelenskyy announced that his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, had submitted his resignation following anti-corruption raids on his home.  This move comes amid a sprawling corruption scandal involving allegations of embezzlement worth up to $100 million from the state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom, which has already ensnared other high-ranking officials.

Yermak’s departure is particularly significant. As one of Zelenskyy’s closest allies and Ukraine’s lead negotiator in peace talks with the United States and Russia, he wielded immense influence over both domestic policy and international diplomacy.  His resignation follows earlier exits in November 2025, including those of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk, who stepped down amid the same Energoatom probe.  These resignations underscore a broader wave of accountability demands in Kyiv, as anti-corruption agencies like the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) intensify their efforts.

For critics of Western involvement in the conflict, these developments validate years of warnings about the pitfalls of unwavering support for Ukraine. As I noted on French media: “There it is. They’re all resigning. Everything I’ve written about Ukraine for 4 years is methodically happening. The Europeans, guided by a completely insane French leader, have made their most monumental mistake since 1914.” This sentiment reflects a view that European leaders, particularly under French President Emmanuel Macron’s influence, have erred gravely by escalating involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, drawing parallels to the miscalculations that led to World War I.

The corruption allegations add fuel to debates about governance in Ukraine. Investigators claim the scandal involved kickbacks and misuse of funds intended for critical energy infrastructure, at a time when Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, causing widespread blackouts.  While Zelenskyy has positioned himself as a reformer committed to rooting out corruption—a key condition for EU membership aspirations—these scandals risk eroding public trust and international support. Opponents argue that such issues have prolonged the conflict by diverting resources and weakening Ukraine’s position, though experts emphasize that corruption is a longstanding challenge in the region, predating the current war.

Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year since Russia’s military operation in February 2022, shows no signs of a decisive resolution. Russian forces continue offensives in eastern Ukraine, making incremental gains in areas like Donetsk Oblast, but at a high cost in manpower and equipment.  Ukrainian defenses, bolstered by Western aid, have tried to hold firm in key “fortress” cities, thwarting larger breakthroughs.  Peace negotiations, including a U.S.-proposed 28-point plan discussed in recent months, have stalled amid Russian demands for territorial concessions, demilitarization, and limits on Ukraine’s armed forces—terms Kyiv and its allies have deemed unacceptable.  Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, maintain that their objectives, such as addressing “root causes” like NATO expansion, must be met for any settlement.

The human toll remains staggering: Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed or wounded on both sides, with no immediate end in sight.  While some voices celebrate these resignations as a step toward accountability and potentially de-escalation, others warn that internal turmoil could further disadvantage Ukraine on the battlefield. European and U.S. leaders continue to grapple with the balance between supporting Kyiv and seeking a negotiated peace, amid fears of broader escalation involving NATO.

As the winter of 2025-2026 sets in, with energy shortages exacerbating hardships for Ukrainians, the resignations may mark a turning point. Whether they lead to genuine reform or deepen divisions remains to be seen. What is clear is that the conflict’s resolution will require addressing not just military realities but also the governance issues that have long plagued the region. For now, the “nightmare” persists, with diplomacy offering the most viable path to reducing casualties and restoring stability.

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Diran Noubar, an Italian-Armenian born in France, has lived in 11 countries until he moved to Armenia. He is a world-renowned, critically-acclaimed documentary filmmaker and war reporter. Starting in the early 2000’s in New York City, Diran produced and directed over 20 full-length documentary films. He is also a singer/songwriter and guitarist in his own band and runs a nonprofit charity organization, wearemenia.org.

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 1 Dec 2025.

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