President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine announced Friday that Kyrylo Budanov, head of the country's military intelligence agency, would become his new chief of staff. The announcement was part of a broader shake-up of Ukraine's national security leadership, which also included plans to replace the defense minister.

Zelensky stated in his overnight address that these changes were part of a substantial overhaul aimed at bolstering Ukraine's resilience. He also indicated that Mykhailo Fedorov, a vice prime minister and the minister of digital transformation, had been asked to take on the role of defense minister. Zelensky promised further decisions would follow.

The position of chief of staff had been vacant for weeks following the departure of Andriy Yermak in November. Yermak had also served as Kyiv's lead peace negotiator. Zelensky's announcement signals a significant shift in his administration's leadership amid the ongoing war. The reasons for Yermak's departure were not immediately clear, though some reports suggested a connection to a corruption scandal.

Fedorov, the proposed new defense minister, had previously been considered as a potential replacement for Yermak. His background in digital transformation suggests a possible focus on integrating technology and modernizing Ukraine's defense capabilities.

The changes come at a critical time for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression. The appointment of Budanov, a military intelligence leader, to the chief of staff position could indicate a heightened emphasis on security and strategic coordination within the government. Zelensky's promise of further decisions suggests that the restructuring of his administration is ongoing.