Zelenskyy defends Andriy Yermak as one of his best managers amid recent Western criticism

His statement came following recent criticism regarding Yermak's almost unlimited influence on governmental decisions in Ukraine.

"Yermak is a powerful manager, one of the most powerful in my team, I respect him for the result," Zelenskyy said.

"He does what I ask."

People who criticize Yermak for his influence are trying to insult the president, Zelenskyy believes.

"If you want to weaken a person, you will hit the team," he said.

"This is politics. Not only Russians are not satisfied with me... Not only Russians want to see weak Ukraine's President."

Similar information was spread about other politicians before Yermak, he added.

The influence of Andriy Yermak in Ukraine

Andriy Yermak was included in the list of the 100 most influential people in the world according to Time magazine in the Leaders category in April. He became the only Ukrainian listed there. Zelenskyy was not included.

Yermak became the most influential head of the presidential administration in the Ukrainian history, The Washington Post wrote on May 18. The conditions of martial law in Ukraine concentrated "exceptional power" in the Presidential Office, making Yermak very influential - he is practically indistinguishable from the head of state.

Senior Ukrainian officials are concerned that Zelenskyy is becoming increasingly dependent on Yermak, who is accused of "accumulating personal power and usurping democratic processes," The Times newspaper wrote on June 7.