The appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as the Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office prompted a negative response from Russian officials. Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev harshly commented on the decision, linking it to Volodymyr Zelensky's alleged desire to eliminate potential political rivals ahead of upcoming elections.
Medvedev suggested that such rivals might include Budanov and former Chief of the General Staff Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. Both had appeared in sociological polls and, according to data, could have defeated Zelensky in a presidential runoff. However, neither has declared any political intentions at this time.
Budanov has been a public figure, actively commenting on developments during the full-scale invasion and earning a reputation for transparency and political ambition. Still, he has not officially announced any plans to run for president. Experts believe his decision to head the Presidential Office may have involved gaining additional powers or specific agreements within the leadership.
Another significant personnel change saw Oleh Ivashchenko, previously head of foreign intelligence, appointed to lead Military Intelligence in place of Budanov. Analysts suggest this might impact the agency's structure, though further changes depend on subsequent appointments.
Experts note the importance of US support for Ukrainian officials, including Budanov. However, the real implications of Budanov’s new role will become clearer following his first decisions in office.
