Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday that he has selected Kyrylo Budanov, the longtime head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, to serve as his new chief of staff, a move that comes as negotiations continue over how to end Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Zelensky made the announcement in a post on X, stressing that Ukraine’s current moment demands a sharper focus on national security, military development and diplomacy. He said the country “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 made clear that Budanov will play a central role in advancing those priorities.
The Ukrainian leader praised Budanov’s background, saying the intelligence chief brings specialized experience and the strength needed to deliver results at a critical juncture. Zelensky’s decision signals a shift toward placing a hardened security professional at the center of his inner circle as the war drags on and talks continue behind the scenes.
Budanov responded publicly, calling the appointment both an honor and a serious responsibility. In his own post on X, he said the role comes at a decisive moment in Ukraine’s history and pledged to concentrate on issues tied directly to the country’s strategic security.
“We will continue to do what must be done — to strike the enemy, defend Ukraine, and work tirelessly toward a just peace,” Budanov wrote, underscoring that military pressure and diplomacy will continue to move in parallel.
Budanov replaces Andriy Yermak, who resigned from the powerful chief of staff position in November amid a corruption investigation. Yermak had been a central figure in Ukraine’s negotiations with the United States and other allies. At the time of his resignation, Yermak said on Telegram that anti-corruption authorities had searched his home as part of a probe into a $100 million embezzlement scandal tied to Ukraine’s energy sector.
Budanov steps into the role after roughly five years leading Ukraine’s military intelligence division, where he became one of the most prominent and controversial figures in Kyiv’s war effort. Under his leadership, Ukrainian intelligence carried out multiple attacks targeting Russian infrastructure, including strikes on elements of Russia’s energy grid.
In a 2024 interview with the Financial Times, Budanov dismissed Moscow’s reputation for strength, saying “the whole legend of [Russia’s] power is a soap bubble.” He also made clear that Ukraine intended to continue aggressive operations against Russian targets. At the same time, Budanov acknowledged serious challenges facing Ukraine, including what he described as a “palpable” manpower shortage, and he openly called for increased mobilization to sustain the war effort.
Zelensky has previously highlighted the scale of Ukraine’s military commitment. In January 2025, he said Ukraine had roughly 880,000 soldiers facing about 600,000 Russian troops, according to the Kyiv Independent. Those figures underscore the immense strain on Ukraine’s armed forces as the conflict grinds on.
By elevating Budanov to chief of staff, Zelensky is placing one of the country’s most battle-tested and outspoken security officials at the heart of decision-making. The move reflects a clear emphasis on security-first leadership as Ukraine balances ongoing combat operations with delicate negotiations over the future of the war.
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