UKRAINE, Jan. 2 — On Jan. 2, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, offered Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s main intelligence agency (HUR), to head the Presidential Office instead of Andrii Yermak, the past head of the Office.

Later, Budanov said that he accepted the offer to head the Office of the President.

On Nov. 28, NABU and SAPO, Ukrainian key anti-corruption bodies, conducted searches at the Yermak’s office. In the evening of the same day, he left the post.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine should focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, and diplomatic track in negotiations. 

The Ukrainian President believes that Budanov has specialized experience in these areas and has the necessary strength to deliver results.

Zelenskyy also tasked Budanov with updating and presenting the strategic principles of defense and development of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and other relevant leaders and institutions.

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