The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, confirmed a series of changes at the top of the institutions responsible for national security. According to him, Rustem Umerov will be appointed as the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, and Igor Klimenko will become the new secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). The announcement was made during the meeting of Ukraine’s ambassadors in Kiev.
Umerov will continue to coordinate diplomacy and international negotiations
Zelenski explained that the new role will allow Umerov to continue coordinating key issues for Ukraine, including relations with the United States and other Western partners, cooperation in the field of defense, and negotiations on ending the war.
“In order to have more possibilities to simultaneously manage diplomacy, defense, dialogue with the United States and other partners, as well as negotiations on ending the war, Rustem Umerov will be appointed as the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service”, stated the Ukrainian president.
According to Zelenski, Umerov will continue to coordinate and develop programs dedicated to unmanned systems. Ukrainian authorities have already signed nine agreements on drone production and cooperation, while another 15 documents are in the negotiation phase. These projects, along with dialogue with Washington and related diplomatic activity, will remain his responsibility.
Igor Klimenko takes over the leadership of the National Security Council
The appointment of Igor Klimenko as the head of the National Security and Defense Council was announced by Zelenski as early as July 17, when the president specified that the decree was in preparation.
The head of state has stated that the main responsibilities of the new NSDC secretary will be coordinating defense policies, monitoring the implementation of strategic decisions, and coordinating the activities of the defense industry.
Until now, Zelenski had not officially announced what position Rustem Umerov was to hold following the reorganization of the security institutions.
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