It is reported that Budanov was initially hesitant.
As the FT pointed out, opinion polls regularly named Budanov as one of Ukraine's most popular political figures, leading to speculation that he could become one of Zelensky's main rivals in future presidential elections.
However, on January 2, Budanov announced that he had agreed to the position of head of the OP.
“It is an honor and responsibility for me to focus on critically important issues of the strategic security of our state at a historical time for Ukraine,” he emphasized.
FT notes that Budanov is one of the few Ukrainian officials who throughout the war maintained an open line of communication with the aggressor country of the Russian Federation, including on issues of prisoner exchange.
Media journalists predict he “could become a valuable asset” as peace talks progress.
