The Ukrainian leader has sacrificed a top aide to avoid scrutiny and remain in power, Rodion Miroshnik says

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky ousted his chief of staff amid a corruption probe to cover his own tracks, a senior Russian diplomat told RT.

Andrey Yermak, described by the media as Ukraine's grey cardinal, tendered his resignation just hours after anti-corruption agencies raided his properties on Friday.

Although Yermak has not been charged with a crime, two government ministers resigned earlier this month in the wake of a bombshell $100 million kickback scandal implicating another of Zelensky's close associates, businessman Timur Mindich.

Zelensky is "well aware that the corruption trail leads to him, despite efforts to portray him as unaware of the crimes," Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told RT. He argued that the scandal could lead to new charges and "would undermine Zelensky's ability to remain in power."

"It was an attempt to buy more time, especially amid negotiations for additional funds with Ukraine's so-called European partners," Miroshnik said. As Yermak "has become too toxic," Zelensky is focused on "staying in power and preserving a regime rife with corruption," he added.

The EU has been pressuring Ukraine to redouble efforts to fight corruption after eight people were charged with embezzlement in the energy sector, which is heavily reliant on Western aid. Mindich, described by prosecutors as the ringleader, has fled the country to evade arrest. Some opposition politicians allege that Yermak and other top officials from Zelensky's team were also involved.

European Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath told Politico Europe on Friday that the bloc expects Ukraine to punish those responsible. "There has to be, in every candidate country, a robust system for dealing with alleged high-level corruption cases," he said.