Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has offered the influential role of presidential chief of staff to Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s military intelligence, signalling a potential shift toward a more security-focused leadership as the war with Russia grinds on.
If Budanov accepts the post, he would replace Andriy Yermak, a longtime Zelenskiy confidant who stepped down in November amid a corruption scandal that has intensified public anger over entrenched graft at the highest levels of government. The controversy has unfolded as Ukraine continues to fight for survival against Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its third year.
Yermak, who also served as Kyiv’s chief negotiator in U.S.-backed peace talks, has not been named as a suspect in an investigation into an alleged $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector. Nevertheless, the scandal has damaged trust in the presidential office and increased pressure on Zelenskiy to demonstrate decisive action.
Announcing the offer on social media platform X, Zelenskiy said the country required a sharper focus on security, defence development and diplomacy. He said the Office of the President would primarily serve these priorities, adding that Budanov had “specialised experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results.”
No decree appointing the 39-year-old general has yet been published, and it remains unclear when or if the transition will be finalised. Budanov has led the GUR military intelligence agency since August 2020, when he was appointed by Zelenskiy, and has become one of the most prominent figures in Ukraine’s wartime leadership.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, Budanov has played a central role in sensitive operations, including prisoner exchanges, and has chaired a body coordinating the treatment of prisoners of war. He has been awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and has repeatedly taken part in special operations, building a reputation as one of the country’s most effective and high-profile security officials.
