Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has dismissed his defense minister, citing the need for “new approaches” as the conflict with Russia enters its nineteenth month.
“This week, parliament will be asked to make a personnel decision … I have decided to replace the minister of defense of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale war,” Zelensky said.
The president proposed Rustem Umerov, a former deputy of the Ukrainian people, for the position of defense minister.
“The Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine knows this person well, and Mr. Umerov does not need any additional introductions,” Zelensky said. “I expect parliament to support this candidate.”
Umerov has been directly involved in prisoner of war exchanges and is currently the chairman of the State Property Fund, whose goal is to draw investment into Ukraine. Additionally, he participated in the Black Sea Grain Initiative as a senior negotiator and frequently expressed doubts about Russia’s compliance with the agreement. Russia has since given up on the plan.
His appointment comes at a crucial time for Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the south and as relations with allies and donors move into a new stage. In order to advance its counteroffensive, Ukraine is working to expedite the training and use of F-16 fighter planes as well as the acquisition of a variety of other tools and weapons.
Reznikov submitted his resignation Monday, writing on Facebook: “Following the decision of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, I submitted my resignation to the Ukrainian Parliament. I am ready for the report. Let’s keep the line!”
According to his biography on the website for the defense ministry, Reznikov has been the defense minister since November 2021. Prior to that, he held positions such as deputy prime minister.
His removal follows several corruption scandals involving the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
The country’s deputy defense minister resigned after being accused of corruption; at the beginning of the year, Zelensky fired a number of high-ranking officials over a scandal involving the purchase of war supplies; and in August, Zelensky fired all of the officials in charge of regional military recruitment centers, citing numerous ongoing criminal investigations.
Zelensky has stated that eliminating corruption throughout Ukraine’s government is essential to Kyiv’s chances of achieving long-desired membership in NATO and the EU.
Ukraine is, after Russia, the most corrupt nation in Europe, according to a 2021 Transparency International report. Out of 180 nations, it came in 122nd place overall.
One of the factors influencing Zelensky’s quick rise to power in 2019 was his pledge to clean up corruption in the government.
Source-CNN
