Europe "Wave of personnel changes" in Kiev ahead of negotiations
Ahead of today's planned negotiations in Kiev on an end to the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has partially reorganized his defence and security apparatus.
03.01.2026, 04:52
SDA
He appointed the former head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, to head his presidential office. The 39-year-old Budanov was already involved in the peace talks. Selensky also announced another change at the head of the Ministry of Defense.
National security advisors are meeting in the Ukrainian capital Kiev today to discuss further support for the country under attack from Russia. According to Selenskyj, 15 countries as well as representatives from the EU and NATO have confirmed their attendance. The US team will be connected online.
Ukraine demands robust security guarantees
Zelensky expects progress to be made on the difficult issue of security guarantees for his country. These are considered central to a possible future peace agreement in order to guarantee Kiev reliable protection against new Russian attacks. Details still need to be clarified, said Selensky. The talks are considered an important preparation for a planned summit meeting of Ukraine's supporter states from the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday.
The peace negotiations initiated by US President Donald Trump have been running intensively for weeks. However, there are no signs of an end to the Russian war of aggression, which has been going on for almost four years. Above all, the key issue of the territorial cessions demanded by Russia remains open for a peace agreement. Kiev rejects such a renunciation. Furthermore, Russia is not at the negotiating table.
Zelenskyi relies on further personnel changes
Zelenskyi also announced that he would once again fill the post of defense minister. The deputy head of government and Minister for Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, is to take over from Denys Shmyhal, as he said. The 34-year-old Fedorov is a specialist in drones and digitalization. Parliament must approve the appointment.
Shmyhal was only dismissed as head of government in the summer and appointed as defense minister in place of Rustem Umyerov. Umjerow is the chief negotiator in the peace talks. Zelenskyi said that Shmyhal should take on another task that is no less important for the country's stability.
"I have decided to change the way the Ministry of Defense works," said Zelenskyi. Fedorov is working intensively on the use of drones in the war and is working very effectively on the digitalization of state services and processes. Selensky went on to say that helpful changes needed to be implemented. Military training should also be updated in line with the experience gained on the front.
President admits problems in the past
The personnel changes are part of a reorganization of the defence and security apparatus in Ukraine initiated by Zelenskyi. "Today we have begun a fundamental new start - internal changes to make Ukraine more stable," said Zelenskyi. Due to problems in the past, there has been a "wave of personnel changes". Others are to follow, including a new head of the border troops.
Zelenskyi appointed Budanov as the new head of his presidential chancellery after his previous right-hand man in the post, Andriy Yermak, resigned in the wake of a corruption scandal. Following a number of deadly bomb attacks on generals, Russia regards Budanov as a terrorist and one of its most important enemies.
Budanov's successor at the military intelligence service HUR is foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko. In his new role, the 56-year-old lieutenant general will continue to work on weakening Russia's economy and limiting Moscow's military potential, Selensky announced.
