Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy appointed General Kirilo Budanov, commander of Ukrainian military intelligence, as the new chief of staff of the presidency this Friday (2). Boudanov will replace Zelensky’s former right-hand man, Andii Iermak, who lost his post in November after being accused of involvement in a corruption scandal that rocked the war-torn country’s government.
Iermak was the target of a search and seizure warrant as part of the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of at least US$100 billion (543 billion reais) from the energy sector. The scandal also brought down the Ministers of Energy and Justice. So far, Iermak has not been officially charged with any crime.
When announcing the new chief of staff, Zelensky said in a statement that “Ukraine needs to focus more on security issues, the development of the armed forces and diplomatic negotiations. The presidential office will strive to accomplish these tasks.” “Kirilo has extensive experience in these areas and the strength to achieve results,” the president said.
Budanov, 39, has commanded the Ukrainian army’s intelligence sector since 2020. Throughout the war with Russia, he coordinated a series of special operations, including prisoner exchanges with Moscow.
Yermak, 54, has been friends with Zelensky, 47, since the president was a comedian who had a career on Russian and Ukrainian television. The two anti-corruption agencies investigating Iermak, the National Anti-Corruption Office and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, were the subject of controversy in June.
Zelensky tried to strip him of his power to investigate people in high positions, like Yermak, leading to the first major street protests against the president since Vladimir Putin invaded his country in February 2022.
Under pressure from his country and its allies, who have so far given around US$1.5 trillion (8 trillion reais) to the war effort and want to know where that money is going, the president backed away from the proposal.
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