Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just over a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption row.
At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, Zelensky said in a post on social media, publishing a photo of his meeting with Budanov in Kyiv.
Budanov, 39, has until now led the Hur military intelligence, which has claimed a number of highly-effective strikes against Russia.
His predecessor, Andriy Yermak, wielded enormous political influence during Russia's full-scale invasion launched in 2022. He also led Ukraine's negotiating team in crucial talks with the US aimed at ending the war.
In Friday's post on social media, Zelensky wrote: At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the defence and security forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations.
Yermak, 54, stepped down on 28 November and his departure was seen as a major blow to Zelensky.
Yermak quit shortly after his home in Kyiv was raided by the country's anti-corruption agencies. While he is not accused of any wrongdoing, the anti-corruption bureau Nabu and specialised prosecutors did not clarify the reason for their search.
Recent investigations have linked several high-profile figures to a $100m (£75m) embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.
The corruption scandal has significantly weakened Zelensky's position, jeopardizing Ukraine's negotiating stance at a critical time as Kyiv seeks to negotiate terms of a US-led peace plan originally seen as favoring Russia.
