The New York Times links Kyrylo Budanov's OP appointment to US ties
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov (Getty Images)
A new head of the Office of the President of Ukraine has been appointed in Ukraine, whose strong ties with the United States could bolster Kyiv’s position in international negotiations, according to a publication by The New York Times.
Kyrylo Budanov takes over Office of President
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, to the key political post of Office of the President of Ukraine.
The decision followed the dismissal of Andriy Yermak and is part of a broader кадрова reorganization aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating capacity with the United States and other Western partners, according to The New York Times.
Sources cited by the newspaper indicate that Zelenskyy sought a senior aide with strong credibility in Washington and European capitals who could help steer complex diplomatic processes during a sensitive phase of talks.
Strong ties with Washington
Budanov is widely known for his close contacts with the US security and political establishment. He previously participated in a training program supported by the Central Intelligence Agency, and after being wounded during fighting in eastern Ukraine, he received treatment at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, an uncommon step for Ukrainian military officers.
These factors, the paper notes, have reinforced his standing as a key interlocutor between Kyiv and Washington at critical moments.
Political and international implications
Budanov has also been involved in maintaining communication channels with the Russian side on prisoner exchanges, a role that sets him apart within Ukraine’s leadership.
Political analysts quoted by the newspaper suggest that his appointment strengthens Zelenskyy’s position without turning Budanov into a direct electoral rival. At the same time, journalists note that the move deprives Zelenskyy of his most experienced intelligence посредник at a delicate stage of negotiations with Washington over ending the war with Russia.
Earlier, Zelenskyy confirmed that he personally offered Budanov the post during a direct meeting. The appointment was later formalized by a presidential decree published on the official website of the head of state.
