\n<\/p>\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just over a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption row.<\/p>\n
“At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues,” Zelensky said in a post on social media, publishing a photo of his meeting with Budanov in Kyiv.<\/p>\n
Budanov, 39, has until now led the Hur military intelligence, which has claimed a number of highly-effective strikes against Russia.<\/p>\n
His predecessor, Andriy Yermak, wielded enormous political influence throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in 2022. He also led Ukraine’s negotiating team in crucial talks with the US aimed at ending the war.<\/p>\n
In Friday’s post on social media, Zelensky wrote: “At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the defence and security forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations.<\/p>\n
“Kyrylo has specialist experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results.”<\/p>\n
The president added that he had already instructed his new office chief to update and present key documents regarding “the strategic foundations” of Ukraine’s defence.<\/p>\n
Zelensky said Budanov was being replaced by 56-year-old foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko.<\/p>\n
Yermak, 54, stepped down on 28 November, and his departure was seen as a major blow to Zelensky.<\/p>\n
Yermak quit shortly after his home in Kyiv was raided by the country’s anti-corruption agencies.<\/p>\n
He is not accused of any wrongdoing, and the anti-corruption bureau Nabu and specialised anti-corruption prosecutor’s office Sapo did not explain why they searched his property.<\/p>\n
In the past few months investigators have linked several high-profile figures to an alleged $100m (\u00a375m) embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.<\/p>\n
They said they had uncovered an extensive scheme to take kickbacks and influence state-owned companies including state nuclear energy firm Enerhoatom.<\/p>\n
The corruption scandal has rocked Ukraine, weakening Zelensky’s own position and jeopardising the country’s negotiating position at a delicate time.<\/p>\n
Kyiv, backed by its European allies, is seeking to change the terms of a US-led draft peace plan originally seen as heavily slanted towards Russia.<\/p>\n
Russian officials have seized on the scandal, talking up corruption claims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n