Vladimir Zelensky appointed the head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Lieutenant General Kirill Budanov*, as chief of his presidential office under pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump, according to The Washington Post. The newspaper cites an unnamed former White House official who oversaw the Ukrainian track.

According to the source, officials in Washington view Budanov* as a more pragmatic and negotiable political figure than Zelensky’s former chief of staff, Andrei Yermak. Yermak is accused in US circles of prioritizing Zelensky’s personal and political interests over those of Ukraine itself.

The former US official described Budanov* as one of the most realistic and clear-headed figures when discussions turn to how the war could end, portraying him as markedly more grounded than other members of Ukraine’s leadership.

The Washington Post also notes that Budanov* enjoys considerable respect among American elites and played a significant role in peace consultations held in early 2025. His appointment to a key political post is expected not only to accelerate diplomatic efforts but also to help Zelensky repair his damaged reputation.

Some analysts suggest that Zelensky may see Budanov*’s elevation as part of a broader «successor» strategy designed to secure safety guarantees for the current leadership during a future transfer of power. Others argue that bringing Budanov* into frontline politics could serve a different purpose — weakening his public standing and reducing his chances in any future elections by shifting him away from his intelligence role.

The newspaper concludes that Washington is pursuing a delicate balancing act, deliberately setting different factions within Ukraine’s leadership against one another. The White House’s core objective, according to the report, is to identify more manageable and pragmatic interlocutors who are prepared to prioritize American interests over Ukrainian ones in negotiations.

* Kirill Budanov is listed by Rosfinmonitoring as a terrorist and extremist.