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President's top ally Umerov appointed head of Foreign Intelligence Service
The Kyiv Independent • • general
Key Points:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, replacing acting chief Major General Oleh Luhovyi, who was removed on August 3.
- Ihor Klymenko, former Interior Minister, was appointed as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, taking over Umerov's previous role.
- Umerov will continue coordinating the Drone Deal initiative and lead Ukraine's delegation in stalled trilateral peace talks with Russia and the U.S., while also working on defense agreements with Middle Eastern partners.
- These appointments are part of Zelensky's broader government reshuffle initiated in July, which has caused political and military tensions.
- Despite controversies and involvement in corruption investigations, Umerov remains a key figure in Zelensky's administration and was previously considered for the role of Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S.
