The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

Zelensky nominates Umerov as defense minister

by Elsa Court September 5, 2023 5:44 PM 2 min read
Rustem Umerov in Kyiv on May 9, 2022. (Photo by Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted a draft resolution to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, for the appointment of Rustem Umerov as defense minister.

Earlier today, parliament approved Oleksii Reznikov's resignation as defense minister. Reznikov had held the position since 2021 and had submitted his resignation to the Ukrainian parliament on Sept. 4.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his decision to dismiss Reznikov on the evening of Sept. 3, explaining that "the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction both with the military and with society as a whole."

Reznikov's tenure at the Defense Ministry has recently been marred by several scandals related to the procurement of equipment and supplies for Ukrainian soldiers.

@the_kyiv_independent On Sep. 4, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov submitted his resignation to the Ukrainian parliament after President Zelensky announced his dismissal yesterday. After the latest controversy concerning military jackets purchased for Ukraine's Armed Forces at an inflated price, Ukrainians have many opinions on Reznikov and corruption in Ukraine in general. We spoke with some Ukrainians about this. #ukraine #kyivindependent #independentjournalism #voxpop ♬ Lazy chill out, romance overseas celebrity, 10 minutes(1019319) - 8.864

During the same evening address, Zelensky said that Umerov, a former head of the State Property Fund, would be nominated as defense minister.

The Ukrainian parliament is expected to consider his candidacy on Sept. 6.

The Mejlis, the executive body representing Crimean Tatars, called on the Verkhovna Rada to approve Umerov.

Umerov comes from a Crimean Tatar family and has long advocated for Crimean Tatar rights.

Who is Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s soon-to-be defense minister?
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sept. 3 that Rustem Umerov was Ukraine’s soon-to-be defense minister, he said the former MP “needs no introduction.” Days before, Umerov had been rumored to be the main candidate to replace Oleksiy Reznikov, who had held the post since Novemb…

News Feed

8:06 AM

Zelensky arrives in South Africa to meet President Ramaphosa.

"We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
5:30 AM

Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit.

Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump's last in-person encounter with his Russian counterpart was during the 2018 Helsinki Summit during the U.S. president's first term.
8:08 PM

Ukrainians react to US proposal of recognizing Crimea as Russian.

The U.S. media outlet Axios reported on April 23 that the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's final proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war included the U.S. de jure recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and de facto recognizing its control of other occupied Ukrainian territories. We asked Kyiv residents for their reactions to the U.S. proposal.
7:21 PM  (Updated: )

Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.

"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.