KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the head of Ukraine’s security service Monday as he continues a top-level reshuffle ahead of a trip to Paris, where he hopes to finalize agreements with allies on ensuring Russia doesn’t repeat its invasion if a peace agreement is signed.
Zelenskyy’s Changes at the Top
Zelenskyy is revamping his administration as the war of attrition with Russia approaches its fourth anniversary next month. He aims to maintain momentum in U.S.-led peace talks and sharpen Ukraine’s defense focus should those efforts fail.
The Paris talks are expected to involve leaders from roughly 30 countries, a “coalition of the willing,” prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine’s future safety.
Key discussion points include potential troop deployments within or near Ukraine and the scope of any ceasefire oversight force. Russia has stated its opposition to NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.
Zelenskyy also appointed Canada’s former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as Ukraine’s economic development adviser, citing her expertise in attracting investment and driving economic transformations.
Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service, or SBU, announced his resignation on the agency’s website amid Ukraine’s most significant top-level reshuffle in six months.
Zelenskyy appointed Ievhen Khmara, former head of the “A” Special Operations Center of the Security Service, as the agency’s acting head via a decree published on the presidential website.
Under Maliuk, the SBU achieved successes against Russia, including Operation Spiderweb, which Ukraine claims damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft in coordinated strikes on four air bases.
On Friday, Zelenskyy appointed the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence as his new chief of staff. Zelenskyy stated Ukraine must prioritize security, defense development, and peace negotiations – areas overseen by the president’s office.
New Adviser Has Been a Staunch Critic of Putin
Zelenskyy is also focused on bolstering the war-torn economy through partnerships with the U.S. and other nations. Freeland, of Ukrainian heritage, is a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and brings experience as a journalist and Canadian lawmaker.
She previously served as Canada’s minister of international trade, foreign minister, and finance minister, and helped negotiate trade agreements with Europe and the U.S.
Freeland also served as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a position outside the Cabinet, alongside her parliamentary duties.
Freeland and former U.S. President Donald Trump had a sometimes-difficult relationship. During Trump’s first meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump recalled his dislike for Freeland, calling her “terrible.” After Freeland left Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet, Trump described her behavior as “totally toxic” on social media.
One Canadian opposition lawmaker questioned whether Freeland could simultaneously serve in parliament and as an advisor to a foreign government.
Ukraine Seeks to Counter Size of Russian Forces
In his New Year’s address, Zelenskyy said a proposed U.S.-brokered peace deal was “90% ready” but cautioned that the remaining 10%, concerning disputed territory, would determine the outcome of peace efforts.
Moscow has been reticent about the negotiations’ details, reiterating its demands and insisting on a comprehensive settlement before any ceasefire.
Fighting continues along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line in southern and eastern Ukraine.
Zelenskyy met with Budanov on Monday to explore ways to counter Russia’s advantage in troop numbers.
“Russia has one significant advantage in this war, namely the ability to put pressure on Ukraine with the scale of strikes, the scale of assaults,” he said on social media. “We have and must respond with more active use of technology, faster development of new types of weapons, new tactics.”
A Russian drone strike on a private clinic in Kyiv’s Obolon district overnight killed a 30-year-old patient and injured three others, according to the capital’s prosecutor’s office.
Energy workers and repair crews are addressing damage to energy infrastructure caused by Russian drones, leading to power disruptions for civilians during the winter, Zelenskyy said. Russia fired nine ballistic missiles and 165 long-range drones at Ukraine overnight, the air force reported Monday.
A Ukrainian drone ignited a fire at an industrial facility in Yelets, in Russia’s western Lipetsk region, according to regional Gov. Igor Artamonov. No casualties were reported.
Russian airports in Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, and Yaroslavl briefly suspended flights due to Ukrainian drone attacks, authorities said.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported downing another 50 Ukrainian drones later Monday over the Belgorod, Kursk, and Lipetsk regions.
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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