President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday appointed Ukraineโs military intelligence chief as chief of staff, a move that comes as Washington ramps up diplomacy aimed at ending Russiaโs nearly four-year invasion.
In announcing the appointment of Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs to focus on security issues, developing its defense and security forces, and peace talks โ areas that are overseen by the office of the president.
Zelenskyy had dismissed his previous chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, after anti-corruption officials began investigating alleged graft in the energy sector.
Budanov, 39, is one of the countryโs most recognizable and popular wartime figures. He has led Ukraineโs military intelligence agency, known by its acronym GUR, since 2020.
A career military intelligence officer, he rose through the defense establishment after Russiaโs illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
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