Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has offered the head of GUR the job of chief of the President’s Office. The intelligence chief confirmed he accepted, and officials on Bankova say they are already processing the appointment.
On January 2, it emerged that Gen. Kyrylo Budanov is preparing to lead the President’s Office.
The president stressed that Ukraine’s top priorities are security, the development of the Defense Forces, and a diplomatic track in negotiations. He said the President’s Office should be focused on that, and that the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate is capable of delivering results in the new role.
Zelensky’s communications adviser Dmytro Litvin said formal procedures for the new appointment are continuing.
The lieutenant general confirmed he accepted Zelensky’s offer. He called the new role a different line of responsibility to Ukraine and said the focus now must be on critical issues.
“Thank you to all my brothers-in-arms and the entire team of Ukraine’s GUR for our work together. We must keep doing our job - striking the enemy, defending Ukraine, and working to achieve a just peace,” he added.
According to political scientist Oleg Posternak, the decision has two dimensions — administrative and hidden political. If the war continues and Zelensky’s work shifts to constant coordination with the military, Budanov is stronger than other candidates because he has exceptional authority among defenders, he said. In Posternak’s view, the general will not engage in personnel pressure, political blackmail, or attempts to influence lawmakers, media, and politicians.
At the same time, Posternak suggested there are nonpublic political understandings between Budanov and Zelensky. The general could be preparing to become the president’s successor, lead a new political force, the parliament, or the government.
Political analyst Viktor Taran said Ukraine has entered a war-of-attrition phase, and a real transition to a wartime economy and stronger military processes at home require a dedicated moderator. He noted the president’s New Year address did not mention the Armed Forces for the first time, which he said suggests a desire to step back from a block of tough decisions.
“Recent polls put Budanov in the top three, and in a second round he beats Zelensky - as does Zaluzhny. The logic may be to shift unpopular processes onto him and thus dent his ratings,” Taran said, while questioning whether that strategy would work.
The expert added that Budanov has been maximally effective - and inconvenient for Russia — as head of GUR, but the President’s Office would allow him to build resources if he sees his future in politics.
“For a combat officer, this is a move from a position of military glory to an extremely toxic and risky political post. It doesn’t guarantee allies and carries serious reputational risks,” Posternak said, arguing that officer’s grit and an internal code of honor were decisive.
MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak and journalist Yuliya Zabelina reported that the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko, will replace Budanov as chief of GUR. He has led the Foreign Intelligence Service since March 2024.
According to Zheleznyak, former head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak pushed this candidacy to replace the general. But, the MP added with irony, it’s unlikely Yermak imagined the reshuffle would unfold this way.
Earlier, in late November, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, was included in the Ukrainian delegation that traveled to negotiations in the United States. However, media reported the general stayed in Kyiv, with his deputy, Vadym Skibitskyi, representing the agency’s interests.
NABU detective Ruslan Magamedrasulov said the Energoatom corruption case includes “physical evidence” concerning former head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak. He expressed hope a final decision would ultimately be made in accordance with the law.
