Zelensky names spy chief to head presidential office
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption row.
Zelensky posted a photo of his meeting with Budanov in Kiev on social media and said, “Right now, Ukraine needs to focus more on security issues.” he said.
Budanov, 39, led Hur military intelligence, which claims to have carried out several effective attacks against Russia so far.
His predecessor, Andriy Yermak, wielded enormous political influence throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in 2022. He also led Ukraine’s negotiating team in crucial talks with the United States aimed at ending the war.
In a social media post on Friday, Zelensky wrote: “At the moment there is a need to focus more on security issues of Ukraine, on the development of Ukrainian defense and security forces, as well as on the diplomatic path of negotiations.
“Kyrylo has expert experience in these areas and the drive to deliver results.”
The president added that he instructed the new office chief to update and present important documents related to the “strategic foundations” of Ukraine’s defense.
Zelensky said that Budanov would be replaced by 56-year-old foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko.
The resignation of 54-year-old Yermak on November 28 was seen as a major blow to Zelensky.
Yermak resigned shortly after his home in Kiev was raided by the country’s anti-corruption agencies.
He is not accused of any crime, and the anti-corruption bureau Nabu and the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office Sapo did not explain why they were searching his property.
Over the past few months, investigators have linked several high-profile individuals to a $100 million (£75 million) alleged embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.
Commissioners said they uncovered a comprehensive scheme to extort and influence state-owned companies, including state-owned nuclear energy company Enerhoatom.
The corruption scandal has shaken Ukraine, weakening Zelensky’s own position and jeopardizing the country’s negotiating position at a sensitive time.
Kiev, backed by its European allies, is trying to change the terms of the draft US-led peace plan, which was initially seen as heavily tilted towards Russia.
Russian officials evaluated the scandal by voicing allegations of corruption.
