Earthquake in Kyiv: Zelensky Strikes Inner Circle, Sanctions Former Chief of Staff
Asset freezes and travel bans for the ultimate "Shadow Man"; Ukrainian Presidency: "The war on corruption is part of national security"; Analysts: Kyiv undergoes a "power reshuffle" amidst wartime pressures
Medhat El-Sheikh, editor-in-chief of the Voice of Emirates News Agency office in Cairo, is a seasoned Egyptian journalist with extensive experience both within Egypt and abroad....
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Zelensky's sanctions on his former chief of staff (Photo / Agencies)
Kyiv – In a sudden move that shook Ukraine’s political circles, President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a harsh sanctions package targeting his former Chief of Staff and several associates. Obviously, by May 2026, the “honeymoon period” within the Presidential Palace has ended, as yesterday’s comrades become today’s adversaries under the weight of the “Sanctions Law.” These measures reflect an escalating power struggle within the inner circle of authority at a sensitive time when the country faces immense pressure on both military and economic fronts.
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“From the Peak to the Blacklist”: Asset Freezes and Strict Restrictions
Official sources reported that the sanctions included a total freeze of assets within Ukraine, strict travel restrictions, and a ban on any financial transactions for the former official. Accordingly, the Ukrainian Presidency justified this step as a necessity to “combat corruption and purge state institutions” of any financial or administrative suspicions. Clearly, Zelensky has decided to adopt an “iron fist” policy within his administration to signal both internally and externally that he will not tolerate integrity issues, even if they involve his closest former aides.
“Reshuffling the House”: Does Zelensky Fear a “Power Coup”?
Analysts believe that targeting the former Chief of Staff is not merely a legal procedure but a strong signal of re-engineering power centers within Kyiv. As a result, observers see Zelensky attempting to fortify his internal front and reduce influence hubs that might pose a political burden amidst the ongoing war with Russia. With the sanctioned official remaining silent so far, Ukrainian political circles are anticipating the “next head” to fall under the sanctions guillotine, in a scene confirming that internal conflicts can be just as fierce as battlefield engagements.
