Kyrylo Budanov is Ukraine's spy chief, heading the country's military intelligence service (HUR). He has been locked in a three-year feud with Andriy Yermak, who runs the presidential office. Allies call him a committed statist and one of a dwindling few able to tell President Zelensky hard truths; critics within the presidential office brand him an erratic revolutionary building his own political machine. As of mid-2025 Yermak had made at least nine attempts to oust him, all unsuccessful. Repeated White House warnings not to fire him may have helped him survive.
After Yermak's forced departure on November 28th 2025, Budanov was one of three figures under consideration as successor to the presidential chief of staff.
By early 2026 Budanov had taken charge of Ukraine's negotiating team for ceasefire talks with Russia, meeting American and Russian counterparts in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Sources close to the Ukrainian team credited his pragmatism with bringing sharper focus to the discussions.
When the government bureau's remedies don't match your problem, you modify the problem, not the remedy.