Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski announced on Monday that he has appointed Rustem Umerov to lead the external information service, while he will continue to be involved in peace talks with the aim of achieving a diplomatic solution to the war with Russia, Reuters reported. At the same time, Umerov will leave the chairmanship of the advisory Security Council, which will be taken over by the former interior minister Ilgor Klîmenko.

In recent weeks, Zelenski has made several changes to the leadership positions within the state apparatus, replacing Mihailo Fedorov as the head of the Ministry of Defense, a decision met with protests. Then, under public pressure, he dismissed Oleksandr Sîrskîi from the command of the army. These reorganizations have sparked criticism, with supporters arguing that the reorganization initiated by the head of state was not adequately explained and lacked sufficient justification.

Klîmenko, who will now take over the chairmanship of the Security Council, was considered one of the potential successors to Fedorov at the Ministry of Defense, but was bypassed. Critics of Zelenski accuse the president of rotating key leadership positions with individuals from his close circle of allies. President Zelenski stated that the purpose of the reorganizations launched in July is to prepare for another harsh winter, given the fears that Russia will launch massive attacks on Ukraine's energy system.

Rustem Umerov, who served as minister of defense between 2023 and 2025, led the Ukrainian delegation in peace negotiations. He also oversees ongoing negotiations.

Sursă consultată: O nouă mutare făcută de Zelenski: Negociatorul-șef din discuțiile de pace Rustem Umerov, numit la conducerea spionajului ucrainean - HotNews.ro — https://hotnews.ro/o-noua-mutare-facuta-de-zelenski-negociatorul-sef-din-discutiile-de-pace-rustem-umerov-numit-la-conducerea-spionajului-ucrainean-2316214