The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced on Sunday (3) the resignation of Minister Oleksyi Reznikov, responsible for heading the country’s Ministry of Defense. He took office three months before Russia started the war, in February 2022.
“I have decided to replace Ukraine’s Minister of Defense. He has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale conflict. I believe it is time for a new approach in the Ministry and other forms of interaction with the military and society in general”, Zelensky said in a speech he delivers daily.
The resignation comes amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive, launched in June by Kiev, at which time the country’s attacks against the Russians increased.
The president appointed former deputy Rustem Umerov to lead the portfolio and asked for support from Parliament, which must still approve the decision. The new defense chief is head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine and has played a key role in exchanging prisoners, protecting civilians and attempting negotiations with Russia.
The change in government comes amid pressure from the European Union (EU), which has supported Ukraine in the conflict, but called for a “harder line” from the president against corruption within the country.
Last Saturday (2), the Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, considered one of the richest men in Ukraine and responsible for the political rise of the current president Zelensky, was arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering in operations that withdrew approximately US$ 14 million. country between 2013 and 2020.
According to information in the local press, the businessman has interests in businesses in the banking, energy and telecommunications sectors in Ukraine.
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