Ukraine: Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he would ask parliament this week to dismiss Defence Minister Mr. Oleksii Reznikov, suggesting Mr. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s main privatisation fund, as the new Defence Minister.
The announcement came following Mr. Reznikov’s statement that Ukraine’s allies will deploy the F-16 fighter jets by the upcoming spring. Mr. Reznikov also highlighted Ukraine’s intentions to ramp up drone production during an interview with the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.
Mr. Zelensky’s announcement set the stage for the biggest shakeup of Ukraine’s defence establishment during the war, as per the statement.
Mr. Reznikov, who became defence minister in November 2021, played a crucial role in securing significant Western military aid to support the war effort. However, he has faced ongoing corruption allegations related to his ministry, which he dismisses as false accusations.
“I’ve decided to replace the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war. I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole,” Mr. Zelenskyy stated.
The parliament must approve the change of Defence Minister and a majority of lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada are also likely to support the notion. Mr. Zelenskyy said he expected parliament to approve Mr. Umerov’s appointment.
The 41-year-old ex-lawmaker, Mr. Umerov, has headed Ukraine’s State Property Fund since September 2022. Mr. Umerov has played a role in sensitive wartime negotiations on, for instance, the Black Sea grain deal.
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