Ukraine's President Zelenskyy introduces new Defense Minister and outlines his responsibilities

Zelenskyy shared this information on Telegram.

The President stressed that the Defense Ministry should oversee the entire defense sector and prioritize the military, recognizing their time and energy as valuable assets for the state. This requires adopting a new approach towards soldiers.

Zelenskyy stated, "If improving soldiers' well-being and efficiency demands changes in defense operations, these changes should be swift. This includes streamlining bureaucratic processes that consume soldiers' time and energy, as well as providing better support for our troops."

He highlighted the importance of digitalization and reducing bureaucratic red tape. Moreover, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to identify and implement measures in the Ukrainian military that safeguard the lives and health of soldiers. Promoting successful combat brigades should also be a priority.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces have gained significant experience in successful modern warfare defense. Anything that enhances this protection should benefit every Ukrainian soldier and contribute to our nation's security and that of our allies. This must be a focused effort," he declared.

This includes appropriate military training, medical and logistical support for brigades, and improved communication with soldiers' families.

"Most importantly, we need to build trust. Trust in the decisions made, trust in procurement processes, trust in planned and executed supplies, and trust in the communication between units and links within Ukraine's defense system. I am confident that Rustem Umierov can help establish this trust," Zelenskyy stressed.

He also mentioned the strategic goal of Ukraine - its aspiration for NATO integration.

Rustem Umierov and Ukraine's Ministry of Defense

On Sunday, September 3, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the removal of Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov from his position.

On Wednesday, September 6, Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved Rustem Umierov as the new Minister of Defense. Umierov expressed his intention to oversee assembly center matters personally.

As the newly appointed Minister of Defense, Rustem Umierov outlined his initial plans. He stressed that the Ministry of Defense will work on transforming Ukraine's defense system, aligning it with a new national security and defense strategy consistent with the President's vision. This transformation will address new challenges, current realities, and NATO standards, while also incorporating digitization across all processes.

Espreso provides information about Rustem Umierov, a politician, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, and sheds light on his background and activities.