President's top ally Umerov appointed head of Foreign Intelligence Service

President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, according to a decree published on the presidential website on Aug. 3.

In a separate decree, Zelensky appointed former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, replacing Umerov.

According to Zelensky, Umerov will continue coordinating the Drone Deal initiative while remaining involved in peace talks to end Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. He heads Ukraine's delegation to the trilateral negotiations with Russia and the U.S., which have been stalled since February, while also working to secure defense agreements with partners in the Middle East.

"He has greater capacity to deal with these issues simultaneously — diplomacy, defense, and the negotiations process with the U.S. and some other partners," the president said during an event with diplomats earlier in the day.

The appointments are part of the surprise government reshuffle Zelensky launched in July, which triggered a self-inflicted political and military crisis. The removal of then Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov sparked nationwide protests, with Ukrainians calling for his reinstatement and changes to the country's military leadership. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi was dismissed in late July.

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service has been without a permanent chief since January. Major General Oleh Luhovskyi, who had served as acting head of the agency since February, was removed on Aug. 3.

Umerov has held several posts under Zelensky, remaining one of the key figures in his administration despite a series of controversies.

He served as defense minister from September 2023 to July 2025, with his tenure marred by procurement scandals and allegations of abuse power. Umerov has also been implicated in the biggest corruption scandal of Zelensky's tenure.

While he was questioned in the case, no formal charges have been brought against him.

Umerov was several times considered for the post of Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., including during the recent government reshuffle, a source familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. The idea was later abandoned.