Zelenskyy to Replace Defence Minister with Head of State Property Fund
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will seek the dismissal of Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and replace him with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s State Property Fund. The move, which Zelenskyy revealed in his nightly video address to the nation, is expected to bring about significant changes in Ukraine’s defense establishment.
Since assuming the role of defense minister in November 2021, Reznikov has played a crucial role in securing billions of dollars in Western military aid for the ongoing war efforts. However, his tenure has been marred by allegations of corruption within the ministry, which he has vehemently denied.
Zelenskyy stated, “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.” The appointment of Umerov as the new defense minister requires approval from parliament, which is expected due to the majority support within the Verkhovna Rada.
Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar, has been heading Ukraine’s State Property Fund since September 2022. He has also played a significant role in sensitive negotiations during the war, such as the Black Sea grain deal. Umerov’s appointment is seen as a strategic choice given his experience and background.
The decision to change defense ministers comes in the wake of Reznikov’s recent claims regarding the deployment of F-16 fighter jets and plans to increase drone production in Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s announcement indicates his desire for fresh perspectives and a new direction for the defense ministry.
In a separate development, Zelenskyy engaged in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron concerning the functioning of a maritime corridor aimed at ensuring safe navigation for ships after Russia’s withdrawal from a landmark grain deal. This comes ahead of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who seeks to revive the grain deal. The leaders also discussed ways to enhance the security of Ukraine’s Odesa region.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has refuted allegations made by the United States regarding a Russian ship transporting weapons from South Africa. Ramaphosa stated that an independent inquiry found no evidence to support these claims, asserting that “none of the allegations made about the supply of weapons to Russia have been proven to be true.”
The allegations made by the US, which implicated South Africa’s non-alignment stance and neutrality in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, created tensions and concerns about potential Western sanctions. South African officials promptly denied the claims and initiated an independent inquiry headed by a retired judge.
Zelenskyy’s decision to replace the defense minister and Ramaphosa debunking the US claims highlight the ongoing complexities and challenges faced by Ukraine and other nations involved in the conflict in Ukraine. Efforts to navigate these challenges and normalize the situation in the region remain crucial for the stability and security of the affected countries.