MPs praise Budanov’s communication style
Kyrylo Budanov (Photo: Andriy Zhyhaylo/Oboz.ua/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Kyrylo
Budanov’s first six months as head of the President’s Office have dramatically
changed how Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration engages with the Ukrainian
parliament (Verkhovna Rada).
Both pro-government and opposition MPs told NV in recent weeks that communication between the Verkhovna Rada and the presidential office has improved and become more open since Budanov, a former intelligence officer, took charge.
“It’s like comparing minus 10 and plus 10: there was no openness, and now it has appeared,” parliamentary Humanitarian Committee chair Mykyta Poturaiev described the difference between Budanov and his predecessor, Andriy Yermak.
Viktoriya Siumar of the opposition European Solidarity party said she does not speak with Budanov personally but has seen how he systematically builds relationships with all parties, including hers.
“He can listen, unlike the previous head of the presidential office, who preferred to engage in intrigues,” Siumar said.
“He listens first to constructive advice on the issue of peace and the importance of functioning institutions in the country.”
Yevheniia Kravchuk, deputy chair of the ruling Servant of the People party, said Budanov now communicates with parliamentarians in a variety of formats — meetings with deputy faction leaders and participation in regional meetings that include heads of regional military administrations. She noted that between June 8 and June 12 Servant of the People MPs held a meeting with the president and Budanov, and a separate meeting with the head of the presidential office.
“It’s hard to draw broad conclusions because not much time
has passed,” Kravchuk said. “But this is becoming somewhat systematic.”
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