Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed former defence minister Rustem Umerov as head of the country’s National Security and Defence Council on Friday (July 19).
Umerov will oversee national security matters, focusing on negotiations with Russia. He has previously led Ukraine’s delegation in negotiations with Russia in Istanbul.
Umerov's tenure as Ukraine’s defence minister spanned from September 2023 to July 2025, during which he was involved in significant defence strategies and operations.
The appointment comes in the wake of a major Ukrainian government reshuffle aimed at revitalising wartime management as prospects for peace with Russia grow dim.
On Thursday (July 18), Ukraine's parliament appointed the country's first new prime minister in five years.
Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, has been tasked by Zelenskiy with boosting domestic weapons production and reviving Ukraine's loan-dependent economy.
In a speech to parliament, Zelenskiy said he expected his new government to increase the share of domestic weapons on Ukraine's battlefield to 50% from 40% within six months.
Parliament also appointed former prime minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's longest-serving head of government, as defence minister replacing Umerov.
