Latest news with #RustemUmerov
Russia Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine gets new defense minister
The Ukrainian parliament has appointed former Prime Minister Denis Shmigal as the country's new defense minister. Shmigal had occupied his previous position since early 2020, becoming the country's longest-serving prime minister following the indefinite postponement of parliamentary and presidential elections due to martial law. Shmigal has been succeeded by his deputy, Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko, who was officially appointed to her new role earlier on Thursday. The outgoing defense chief, Rustem Umerov, who also led Ukraine's delegation in negotiations with Russia in Istanbul, is reportedly expected to become Kiev's new ambassador to the US. Announcing the reshuffle earlier this week, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky said Shmigal's experience in managing the country's limited resources would be useful in the new role. 'Denis Shmigal's extensive experience will definitely be valuable in the position of Ukraine's defense minister – it is precisely in this area that the country's resources are currently concentrated, the number of tasks is at its peak, and the responsibility is immense,' he said. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has been rocked by multiple corruption scandals amid the conflict with Russia. Former defense chief Aleksey Reznikov stepped down from the post in 2023 amid a scandal involving overpriced food contracts for the military, joining a NATO-affiliated NGO in Slovakia shortly after. Umerov, who four months into the role said an internal audit had uncovered around $262 million in losses related to theft, reportedly found himself under investigation over alleged abuse of power related to the procurement of defense equipment at grossly inflated prices.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Lavrov accuses Ukraine of abandoning peace talks
Kiev is derailing peace efforts by rejecting the Istanbul negotiations format, which Moscow still considers viable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. The sides have met for two rounds of direct negotiations in Türkiye this year, rebooting talks that Kiev unilaterally abandoned in 2022 to pursue military victory with Western assistance. At their most recent meeting in June, the delegates exchanged draft proposals outlining visions for a potential peace deal and agreed on further prisoner exchanges. Moscow has since repeatedly confirmed its readiness to continue the negotiations. Speaking at a press briefing following an SCO session in Tianjin, Lavrov rejected Kiev's recent claims that the Istanbul format was limited to humanitarian issues and had exhausted itself. He said such statements reflect a refusal to negotiate and a 'disregard for their own citizens,' recalling Kiev's obstruction of efforts to return the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers. Moscow proposed holding a third round of talks but has received no response from Kiev. Lavrov noted that Ukraine's delegation is now being reshuffled, with outgoing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed Kiev's team in Istanbul, reportedly set to become ambassador to the US. According to Lavrov, the 2022 Istanbul agreements proved that, despite holding opposing positions, it was possible to agree on settlement principles. However, the UK instructed Kiev not to sign the draft, likely with US backing, effectively bringing diplomatic momentum to a halt. Western countries have instead intensified their military support for Ukraine, supplying long-range weapons with the explicit goal of striking Russian territory and scuttling any prospects for negotiations. Commenting on calls from Kiev and its Western sponsors for an unconditional ceasefire, Lavrov warned that Ukraine could use the pause to regroup and rearm. Moscow has outlined conditions for a truce in its draft memorandum: Ukraine must either pull troops out of Russian territories that Kiev claims or suspend its conscription campaign and receipt of Western arms deliveries. Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia's military operation would continue in line with the president's approved plan, which is aimed at securing the country's national interests and protecting Russians and the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine.
France 24
a day ago
- Business
- France 24
Ukraine's wartime reshuffle: what we know
Here are the main points to know about the shake up, which comes as ceasefire talks with Russia stall and with the White House vowing to keep backing Kyiv. PM with US ties Ukraine's new prime minister will be Yulia Svyrydenko, an economy minister known for finalising a natural resources deal with the United States that nearly derailed ties between the countries. "She was the key and the only person leading these negotiations. She managed to prevent them from unravelling," said Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former economy minister who worked with Svyrydenko. She won the respect of US partners including senior US political leadership, analysts have said. "Trump and his administration are now a priority for Ukraine. Svyrydenko has proven herself there and will continue to do so," said political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. Svyrydenko, 39, has earned the trust of Ukraine's business community for her handling of the country's wartime economy, President of the American Chamber of Commerce Andy Hunder said. "We've had a transparent, trust-based and collaborative relationship," Hunder said. New US ambassador Zelensky has indicated that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who had taken part in negotiations with Russia, will be the next US ambassador. "Ukraine needs more positive dynamics in relations with the United States and at the same time new steps in managing the defence sector of our state," Zelensky told Umerov in a meeting last week. Trump has criticised the last administration's decision to send billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, but has authorised NATO members to make arms purchases on Kyiv's behalf. Umerov's appointment "means only one thing. The key issue in bilateral relations between the US and Ukraine right now is weapons", Fesenko said. "Arms supplies are the number one issue. The second issue is negotiations to end the war. Umerov has been involved in both," he added. Outgoing prime minister, an unassuming technocrat, Denys Shmygal, will take over the defence ministry brief, Zelensky has said. More control? Zelensky's rivals have long accused him of seeking to consolidate power and some critical media say Svyrydenko's appointment marked the latest step in this trend. She is seen as loyal to Andriy Yermak, the powerful head of the Zelensky's office. Ukrainska Pravda, a respected independent media outlet, published a report describing the moves as "the strengthening of the head of the presidential office -- although it's hard to see how that's possible." "It's obvious that the Presidential office's influence will increase," opposition lawmaker Mykola Kniazhytskyi told AFP. "The authorities are pursuing further centralisation and refusing any dialogue," he added. What now? Svyrydenko has set her priorities as prime minister as strengthening the economy, scaling up arms production, and expanding support programs. Fesenko said Shmygal's appointment as defence minister would likely see him "bring some order" to the ministry, which has previously been plagued by corruption scandals. Lawmakers voted on Wednesday to officially dismiss the government and were set to approve new ministers the following day.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine derailing peace talks
Kiev is derailing peace efforts by rejecting the Istanbul negotiations format, which Moscow still considers viable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. The sides have met for two rounds of direct negotiations in Türkiye this year, rebooting talks that Kiev unilaterally abandoned in 2022 to pursue military victory with Western assistance. At their most recent meeting in June, the delegates exchanged draft proposals outlining visions for a potential peace deal and agreed on further prisoner exchanges. Moscow has since repeatedly confirmed its readiness to continue the negotiations. Speaking at a press briefing following an SCO session in Tianjin, Lavrov rejected Kiev's recent claims that the Istanbul format was limited to humanitarian issues and had exhausted itself. He said such statements reflect a refusal to negotiate and a 'disregard for their own citizens,' recalling Kiev's obstruction of efforts to return the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers. Moscow proposed holding a third round of talks but has received no response from Kiev. Lavrov noted that Ukraine's delegation is now being reshuffled, with outgoing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed Kiev's team in Istanbul, reportedly set to become ambassador to the US. According to Lavrov, the 2022 Istanbul agreements proved that, despite holding opposing positions, it was possible to agree on settlement principles. However, the UK instructed Kiev not to sign the draft, likely with US backing, effectively bringing diplomatic momentum to a halt. Western countries have instead intensified their military support for Ukraine, supplying long-range weapons with the explicit goal of striking Russian territory and scuttling any prospects for negotiations. Commenting on calls from Kiev and its Western sponsors for an unconditional ceasefire, Lavrov warned that Ukraine could use the pause to regroup and rearm. Moscow has outlined conditions for a truce in its draft memorandum: Ukraine must either pull troops out of Russian territories that Kiev claims or suspend its conscription campaign and receipt of Western arms deliveries. Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia's military operation would continue in line with the president's approved plan, which is aimed at securing the country's national interests and protecting Russians and the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine.
NHK
6 days ago
- Politics
- NHK
Zelenskyy says he will appoint new ambassador to US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he may appoint Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as his country's ambassador to the United States. Zelenskyy was responding a question from a reporter during a news conference in Rome on Thursday. Asked about the possibility of replacing ambassadors to the Group of Seven nations, he said there will be a new ambassador to the US. Current Ukrainian ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova has been assigned to Washington since 2021, before the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. About her successor, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs a person who understands "the most important issues," including strengthening Ukraine. He then said one of his ideas is that this could be the current defense minister. The planned appointment is seen as part of Zelenskyy's effort to strengthen relations with the US and receive more military support from the country amid intensifying Russian strikes across Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday. Rubio later suggested that the Russian side presented a new approach toward a possible ceasefire agreement. Russia is thought to be signaling willingness to hold talks on a ceasefire partly to keep Washington engaged as US President Donald Trump steps up criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
