The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence first did not support, but later voted in favor of Vasyl Maliuk's resignation as SBU chief. Regardless of the committee's position, the issue will be brought before Parliament, where 226 votes are needed for a final decision. According to sources close to the president's office, personnel initiatives from the president and cabinet usually receive approval.
In foreign affairs, President Zelensky is developing cooperation with the United States while considering Donald Trump's recent statements. The president also expressed support for protesters in Iran in a message delivered in the Iranian language, which observers note strengthened his international standing.
Experts' discussion focused on internal politics, especially recent reshuffles in top positions. The rationale for the committee's decisions and the motives for Maliuk's resignation are debated. Analysts emphasize that this is not a conflict within the president's team, but part of ongoing personnel strategy and change management. Maliuk, in turn, is seen as having displayed a statesmanlike attitude in submitting his resignation to avoid conflict with the president.
Another part of the discussion centers on the impact of the newly appointed head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov. Experts question the balance between new appointments and the continued influence of previous key figures, highlighting the unique nature of staffing in Ukrainian leadership.
The conversation notes that these personnel rotations are aimed at transforming the executive branch and managing political ambitions within senior ranks. It remains an open question whether the driving force behind these changes is the president himself or his advisors.
