Zelensky appoints former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine’s Security Council

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as secretary of the country’s National Security and Defense Council.

Umerov served as Ukraine’s defense minister from September 2023 to July 2025. On July 14, President Zelensky proposed that the Verkhovna Rada appoint then–Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as his replacement. Yulia Svyrydenko was tapped to succeed Shmyhal as prime minister.

Umerov had been widely seen as the leading candidate to become Ukraine’s next ambassador to the United States. However, the post ultimately went to Olha Stefanishyna, who previously served as deputy prime minister and justice minister in Shmyhal’s cabinet.

According to RBC-Ukraine’s sources, Umerov will focus on negotiations with Russia. The outlet noted that he had previously led Ukraine’s delegation in negotiations with Russia in Istanbul.