Kyrylo Budanov

Kyrylo Budanov is the current chief of staff for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Previously, he served as the head of Ukraine's military intelligence. He is newsworthy due to his prominent role in ongoing peace talks and security negotiations with Western allies amidst the continuing conflict with Russia. Recent reports indicate that Budanov has reported "concrete results" from these talks, though details remain confidential. His appointment as chief of staff followed a reshuffle within Ukraine's intelligence agencies, which drew some criticism regarding potential disruption to operations. Budanov's current relevance stems from his direct involvement in shaping Ukraine's strategy and approach to ending the war and securing post-conflict guarantees, making him a key figure in the country's leadership.