UPDATE 2 - Ukraine's Zelenskyy officially appoints Budanov as presidential office head, names new defense intel chief

UPDATES WITH OFFICIAL DECREES CONFIRMING APPOINTMENTS, CHANGES IN HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Burc Eruygur and Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA)—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed decrees officially appointing Kyrylo Budanov as the head of the presidential office and Oleh Ivashchenko as the new chief of the country's defense intelligence agency.

According to the decrees posted on the presidential website, Budanov was relieved of his duties as head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) to take on the new position, while Ivashchenko was transferred and appointed as head of the Foreign Intelligence Service to fill the position.

Earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy announced on X that he had offered Budanov the job during a meeting.

“At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations, and the Office of the President will primarily serve the fulfillment of these tasks of our state,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy added that he also instructed Budanov to “update and submit for approval the strategic foundations of our state’s defense and development, as well as the subsequent steps,” in coordination with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and other relevant officials and institutions.

Budanov accepted the offer, stating in a statement on Telegram: "For me, it is an honor and a responsibility, at a historic time for Ukraine, to focus on critically important issues of the strategic security of our state."

Regarding Ivashchenko's transfer to military intelligence, Zelenskyy stated earlier that the new chief would "continue serving our state and carrying out tasks to limit Russia’s military potential."

In a separate development regarding the security reshuffle, Zelenskyy revealed that Serhii Deineko would step down as head of the State Border Guard Service after six years, though he will remain within the Interior Ministry's system.

The presidential office post has been vacant since last November, when Andriy Yermak stepped down. Zelenskyy has held multiple consultations on a successor since then.