Zelensky Explained Major Personnel Changes: New Faces in the Office of the President and the Ministry of Defense.

According to ТСН: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky explained the reasons for personnel changes in key government positions, including the appointment of a new head of the President's Office and Minister of Defense.

Reasons for Appointing New Leaders

At a briefing, the president emphasized that the appointment of Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense is driven by the need to enhance the technological capabilities of the Ukrainian army in the context of a prolonged war. He stated:

‘There are significant advantages in the systematic approach of Denys Anatoliyovych Shmyhal and speed regarding technological advancement in Mykhailo Fedorov… I do not want to wait another six months and think, maybe it will work, maybe it won’t… The candidates you see… it was already clear in advance that they could take on those positions.’

Changes in the Office of the President

Zelensky also explained that the appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as head of the President's Office is a step towards strengthening the negotiation team that aims for peaceful settlement in Ukraine. The president added:

‘I have an active NSA [National Security Advisor] Umerov, he has Mr. Kyslytsia and Mr. Bevz. Mr. Kyslytsia is the first deputy minister of foreign affairs, and he will be released from this position. He will become the first deputy head of the President's Office. The head of the President's Office is Kyrylo Oleksiyovych Budanov. Bevz works here. My negotiation group is completely present, including the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Umerov; they are fully in this building today.’

Forming Negotiation Processes

According to the president, two strategies are currently being formed: one to end the war, and the other in case Russia continues its aggression.

Regarding Personnel Rotations

Discussing potential changes in the composition of the Security Service of Ukraine, the president noted that all personnel appointments involve rotations:

‘I respect everyone. I will make the rotations that I have decided to make.’

Let us remind you that recently the president appointed Kyrylo Budanov as the head of the President's Office, and Mykhailo Fedorov was proposed for the position of Minister of Defense. It was also reported that Denys Shmyhal would become the new Vice Prime Minister for Energy, and Serhiy Kyslytsia would be appointed the first deputy head of the President's Office.

These personnel changes indicate an intensification of transformations in public administration amid war and current challenges. In particular, the emphasis on the army's technological capabilities and strengthening the negotiation team indicates the government's intention to solidify Ukraine's positions on both internal and international issues. It is important to monitor the further steps of the new appointees in their roles.