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Zelensky appoints intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (GUR) of Ukraine

02 January 2026 15:54 (UTC +04:00)

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (GUR) of Ukraine, has been offered the position of head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on his "X" account, APA reports.

"I had a meeting with Kyrylo Budanov and offered him the role of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. 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," Zelensky noted.

"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," he mentioned.

Kyrylo Budanov has been appointed Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

It should be noted that some time ago, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak, resigned.