Personnel Changes 2026: Budanov to Head the Presidential Office, What It Means

Personnel Changes 2026: Budanov to Head the Presidential Office, What It Means

According to Студия Руслана Бизяева: At the beginning of 2026, large-scale personnel changes began in Ukraine at the highest levels of power. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees appointing the former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) Kyrylo Budanov as the head of the Presidential Office. The new head of HUR is Ihor Ivashchenko. Among other possible changes is the consideration of Oleksandr Poklad's candidacy for the position of head of the SBU and the dismissal of the head of the State Border Guard Service Serhiy Dejneka. The resignation of at least five governors has also been announced.

According to information from analytical sources, Budanov's appointment is viewed not only as a personnel replacement but also as a change in political concept. Among its points are:

• closing the question of a second presidential term for Zelensky;
• devaluation of British influence in Ukraine;
• ensuring internal stability ahead of elections;
• the possibility of making unpopular decisions.

Commentators link these changes to the geopolitical context, specifically the new US administration. As Kyrylo Budanov himself noted back in the summer of 2025 when commenting on the role of former president Donald Trump:

“Trump is not a Kremlin agent. No, no, Trump does not betray the national interests of Ukraine. No, Trump is consistent, he is not a fool.” - Kyrylo Budanov

It is expected that personnel changes will continue, and possible changes will affect the security bloc. Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding the future of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhny and the head of the SBU Vasyl Maliuk. Overall, the movements in the Presidential Office are seen as the formation of a new team led by Budanov, which is to implement a political strategy for 2026 under the challenging conditions of both war and international negotiations.