Umerov appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council
Rustem Umerov, the former Minister of Defense, has been appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, as stated in a presidential decree.
Umerov replaces Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who had served as NSDC Secretary since March 2024.
Prior to the appointment, Zelenskyy met with Umerov and discussed “changes in state institutions.” The president emphasized that Ukraine needs “more positive dynamics in relations with the United States and new steps in managing the defense sector.”
Previously, Zelenskyy had hinted that Umerov could replace Oksana Markarova as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States following her dismissal.