Zelensky Appoints Intelligence Chief to Head Presidential Office, Makes Other Changes

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just over a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption scandal, the BBC reported.

"At this moment, Ukraine needs a greater focus on security issues," Zelensky said in a social media post, sharing a photo of himself meeting with Budanov in Kyiv.

Budanov, 39, has so far led the Hur military intelligence agency, which has claimed responsibility for a series of highly effective attacks on Russia.

Zelensky also said he intends to replace Defence Minister Denys Smyhal, appointing current Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to the position.

Budanov's predecessor, Andriy Yermak, wielded enormous political influence throughout Russia's full-scale invasion launched in 2022. He also led Ukraine's negotiating team in key talks with the United States aimed at ending the war.

In a social media post on Friday, Zelensky wrote: "At this moment, Ukraine needs a greater focus on security issues, the development of Ukraine's defence and security forces, as well as the diplomatic path of negotiations. Kyrylo has specialist experience in these areas and enough strength to achieve results."

The president added that he had already instructed his new office chief to update and present key documents related to the "strategic foundations" of Ukraine's defence.

The head of the presidential office in Ukraine is historically a very powerful position. There have been instances in the 2000s when the head of the presidential administration had roughly the same power as the president himself.

The ostensibly administrative role traditionally offered not only close access to the head of state but also numerous opportunities. For example, the head of the presidential staff could lobby for government appointments and exert pressure on business circles, often resulting in personal gain.

The appointment of General Budanov suggests a desire to reorganise the role. It puts the presidential office in a wartime mode, very likely to be much more focused on security and the war with Russia.

Later on Friday, Zelensky announced other changes to his leadership team. He said Fedorov was nominated as his new defence minister because he "decided to change the structure of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence".

Fedorov, 34, is the youngest minister in the Ukrainian government. His key achievement so far has been the development and implementation of Diia, a centralised digital platform for government services.

He is "deeply involved in drones" and will be specifically tasked with training more drone operators, Zelensky said in his evening address. He added that Shmyhal remains "part of the team" and will be moved to another area of work.
Zelensky said Budanov is being replaced by the fifty-six-year-old head of foreign intelligence Oleh Ivashchenko.

Budanov's predecessor, former chief of staff Yermak, 54, resigned on November 28, and his departure was seen as a major blow to Zelensky.

Yermak resigned shortly after police from the anti-corruption agency raided his home in Kyiv. He has not been charged with any crime, and the anti-corruption bureau and specialised anti-corruption prosecutor's office have not explained why they searched his property.

In recent months, investigators have linked several high-profile figures to an alleged $100 million embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.

They said they had uncovered an extensive scheme to receive bribes and influence state-owned companies, including the state nuclear energy company Enerhoatom.
The corruption scandal has rocked Ukraine, weakening Zelensky's position and jeopardising the country's negotiating position at a sensitive time.

Kyiv, with the support of its European allies, is seeking to change the terms of a draft peace plan led by the United States, which was initially considered extremely favourable to Russia. Russian officials have seized on the scandal, citing the corruption allegations.