Ukraine’s Zelenskiy to exchange wartime defence minister

Ukrainian Zelensky and Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov at a bilateral assembly in July (AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy introduced his resolution to exchange his defence minister Oleksii Reznikov, setting the stage for the most important shake-up of Ukraine’s defence institution since Russia’s invasion.

In his nightly video handle to the nation, Zelenskiy stated he would ask parliament this week to exchange Reznikov with Rustem Umerov, head of the nation’s important privatisation fund.

Reznikov, defence minister since November 2021, has helped safe billions of {dollars} of Western army assist to assist the struggle effort, however has been dogged by graft allegations surrounding his ministry that he has described as smears.

The resolution comes amid a crackdown on corruption in Ukraine that Zelenskiy has been keen to emphasize. Kyiv has utilized to affix the European Union and the general public has turn into extremely delicate to corruption because the struggle rages ad infinitum.

“I’ve decided to replace the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war,” Zelenskiy stated. “I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole.”

Zelenskiy stated he anticipated parliament to approve Umerov’s appointment, including that Umerov “does not need any additional introduction”. Zelenskiy has to submit Umerov’s candidacy to parliament for evaluation.

A 41-year-old ex-lawmaker and Crimean Tatar, Umerov has led Ukraine’s State Property Fund since September 2022 and performed a job in delicate wartime negotiations on, as an illustration, the Black Sea grain deal.

He has been praised in Ukraine for his observe report on the State Property Fund, which oversees the privatisation of state belongings and had been embroiled in corruption scandals earlier than he took cost.

RAPPORT WITH THE WEST

During the struggle, Reznikov’s defence ministry lobbied the West to beat taboos on supplying highly effective army gear to Ukraine, together with German-made important battle tanks and HIMARS rocket artillery. Kyiv now seems to be poised to obtain US-made F-16 fighter jets quickly.

Although Reznikov has had quite a few interactions with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, a Pentagon spokesperson declined touch upon the transfer, saying that it was an inner matter for the Ukrainian authorities.

Western army assist has performed a vital position within the struggle, as Ukraine first pressured again Russian troops across the capital Kyiv earlier than launching counteroffensives within the northeast and south.

Its troops at the moment are preventing by way of closely mined areas and Russian defensive traces to recapture territory within the southeast and east.

An English-speaker, Reznikov is seen as having constructed up a robust rapport with allied defence ministers and army officers.

One member of parliament has tipped him as Ukraine’s attainable new ambassador to London.

His obvious exit seems to convey an finish to months of home media stress that started in January when Reznikov’s ministry was accused of shopping for meals at inflated costs.

Though he was not personally concerned within the meals contract, some Ukrainian commentators stated he ought to take political accountability for what occurred.

Last month, a Ukrainian media outlet accused his ministry of corruption in the course of the procurement of winter coats for the military. Reznikov denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly stated he was being focused by a smear marketing campaign.