Zelensky picks military intelligence head as new chief of staff

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday picked military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff.

"I had a meeting with Kyrylo Budanov and offered him the role of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine," Zelensky posted on X on Friday. "At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations, and the Office of the President will primarily serve the fulfillment of these tasks of our state.

"Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results. I also instructed the new Head of the Office of the President, in cooperation with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and other relevant leaders and institutions, to update and submit for approval the strategic foundations of our state’s defense and development, as well as the subsequent steps."

Budanov announced on Telegram his acceptance of Zelensky's offer.

"I accepted the offer of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to head the Office of the Head of State," Budanov wrote on Friday. "I continue to serve Ukraine. I consider the position of Head of the Office of the President as another milestone of responsibility to the country. For me, it is an honor and a responsibility - at a historic time for Ukraine, to focus on critically important issues of the strategic security of our state."

While Budanov has yet to be officially appointed to the new position, Zelensky has already tasked him with updating and presenting strategic foundations for Ukraine's defense, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Zelensky's decision to pick Budanov comes after he dismissed his former longtime chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, in late November, amid Ukraine's largest corruption scandal.

Budanov has led Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) since 2020.