--- title: "Bankova Discussed Dismissing Klitschko from Kyiv City State Administration: Who Pushed the Idea and Why They Refused" description: "RBC-Ukraine sources confirmed that Zelenskyy's entourage discussed removing Klitschko from the KCSA. The initiative was rejected due to legal risks and the mayor's European ties." date: 2026-11-02T09:28:36.594Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/bankova-discussed-dismissing-klitschko-kcsa tags: [ukraine, kyiv, klitschko, zelensky, politics, kyyiv-city-council, ermak, local-governance] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Bankova Discussed Dismissing Klitschko from Kyiv City State Administration: Who Pushed the Idea and Why They Refused ![Vitali Klitschko in a camo jacket against the backdrop of destruction in Kyiv](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/02/bankovaya-razvivala-otstranenie-klichko-ot-dolzhnosti-glavy-khgg/bankovaya-razvivala-otstranenie-klichko-ot-dolzhnosti-glavy-khgg-1.webp) ## Key Points - Two independent RBC-Ukraine sources confirmed that Bankova discussed dismissing Klitschko from the KCSA; former Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak was among the supporters - The initiative was rejected due to the Constitutional Court ruling linking the KCSA head post to the elected mayor, and because removal would not strip Klitschko of influence via the City Council - European partners, particularly in Germany, acted as a deterrent; signals were sent from Khreshchatyk to Brussels - Zelenskyy publicly proposed an alternative — creating a special government-linked 'cabinet' for capital issues - Klitschko's team believes the issue is not closed and fears pressure amid winter preparations and the August 5 NSDC decision In October, the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considered the possibility of removing Vitali Klitschko from his position as head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA). This was reported by two independent sources from RBC-Ukraine, who confirmed that such an option was indeed discussed at Bankova. However, the initiative did not receive the support of most influential members of the presidential team and was ultimately rejected. ### Who Pushed the Idea and Why It Was Rejected According to RBC-Ukraine’s insiders, former Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak was one of the proponents of removing Klitschko from the leadership of the KCSA. Nevertheless, the initiative did not find sufficient support: opposition to this step came from both within and outside Bankova. The main arguments against it were potential legal problems and the risk of further complicating the management of the capital under martial law. ### Legal Barriers: The Constitutional Court's Decision The key obstacle was the legal framework linking the positions of the mayor and the head of the KCSA. Formally, the head of the state administration is appointed by the president, but a decision of the Constitutional Court stipulates that this post must be held by a person elected by Kyiv residents as mayor. Furthermore, even removing Klitschko from the KCSA would not strip him of his mayoral powers and influence over the Kyiv City Council. «In theory, this could be done, but in practice, the city management scheme would become even less operational than it is now. Klitschko would block everything through the Kyiv City Council. There might even be problems with access to offices,» explained one of the publication's insiders. ### The European Factor as a Deterrent An additional factor that prevented a drastic personnel decision was Klitschko's ties with European politicians. According to sources, two circumstances play a role here: the strategic importance of local self-government for Ukraine's European partners and the mayor's personal contacts within the European establishment, particularly in Germany. Sources claim that this factor had previously deterred Bankova from taking overly harsh steps against the capital's mayor. Moreover, against the backdrop of public disputes between the central and city authorities, signals were sent from Khreshchatyk to Brussels, after which European partners began expressing concern. ### Alternative: A Special «Cabinet» Under the Government Ultimately, Zelenskyy publicly proposed a different approach to solving Kyiv's problems—creating a special «cabinet» under the government to handle capital issues. Thus, instead of a direct personnel reshuffle, a mechanism was chosen that allows for enhanced coordination without violating the legal framework of city management. ### Klitschko's Team: The Issue is Not Finally Closed The Kyiv mayor's inner circle does not believe that the issue of his potential removal is permanently closed. They assume that the central authorities may return to this topic later, when the situation in the capital becomes particularly tense. One of the possible triggers for a new escalation could be Kyiv's preparations for winter. In particular, attention is drawn to the NSDC decision of August 5, which enshrines the personal responsibility of officials for implementing resilience plans. «It is impossible to execute this plan perfectly. In any case, there will be some gaps, something will go wrong somewhere. This can turn into an argument against the mayor,» the source suggested. At the same time, the NSDC decision itself does not mean the automatic dismissal of Klitschko or his legal liability: this requires separate legal grounds and compliance with the appropriate procedure. As a reminder, tension between the central authorities and the Kyiv mayor escalated in October amid preparations for the heating season in the capital. On October 9 and 13, Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly criticized the city authorities, accusing them of insufficient preparedness for winter and delaying the implementation of the resilience plan. On October 13, the Verkhovna Rada summoned Klitschko to report, and the next day the mayor spoke in parliament and rejected the accusations, explaining the problems as a consequence of Russian strikes on thermal power plants, and also stating that the government is allocating funds too slowly to cities and that Kyiv lacks air defense assets to protect its energy infrastructure. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [На Банковой рассматривали возможность отстранить Кличко, - источники](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/bankoviy-rozglyadali-mozhlivist-vidstoroniti-1793610388.html) - Primary source. Information relies on two independent anonymous insiders. There is no official confirmation or denial from the parties. Facts are presented consistently and do not contradict the well-known legal framework (the Constitutional Court ruling on the link between the mayor and KCSA head posts). ## FAQ ### Who, according to sources, pushed the idea of removing Klitschko from the KCSA? According to RBC-Ukraine insiders, former Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak was one of the proponents of this idea. The initiative was discussed at Bankova but did not receive majority support within the presidential team. ### Why does removing Klitschko from the KCSA not strip him of influence over Kyiv? The Constitutional Court ruling stipulates that the head of the KCSA must be the mayor elected by Kyiv residents. Additionally, even after removal from the KCSA, Klitschko retains mayoral powers and influence over the City Council, through which sources say he can block decisions. ### What alternative approach did Zelenskyy propose? Zelenskyy publicly proposed creating a special 'cabinet' under the government to handle capital issues instead of a direct personnel reshuffle. ### Does Klitschko's team fear renewed pressure? Yes. The mayor's inner circle considers the issue open and points to the August 5 NSDC decision on the personal responsibility of officials for resilience plans. A source notes that any gaps in winter preparations could be used as an argument for political pressure.