On January 2, 2026, local time, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted on his social media platform stating that he had met that day with Kyrylo Budanov, Director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and proposed that Budanov lead the Office of the President of Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine currently needs to focus more on security issues, the development of Ukraine’s defense and security forces, and the diplomatic process underway in negotiations. The Office of the President will be primarily dedicated to fulfilling these tasks.