Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed his defense minister, expressing the necessity for ‘new approaches’ as the conflict with Russia continues into its 19th month.
Details:
- Zelensky stated, ‘This week, I will ask the parliament to make a personnel decision… I have decided to appoint a new defense minister for Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has served through more than 550 days of a full-scale war.’
- The president has nominated Rustem Umerov, a former member of Ukraine’s parliament, to assume the role of the new defense minister.
- ‘The Verkhovna Rada (the legislature) of Ukraine is familiar with this individual, and Mr. Umerov requires no additional introduction,’ Zelensky remarked. ‘I anticipate the parliament’s support for this candidate.’
- Reznikov had been in the position of defense minister since November 2021 and had previously held various governmental roles, including deputy prime minister, as indicated by his biography on the defense ministry’s website.
- His removal follows a series of corruption scandals involving Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
- Earlier in the year, Zelensky terminated several senior officials due to a scandal connected to the procurement of wartime supplies, while the country’s deputy defense minister resigned amid corruption allegations. In August, Zelensky dismissed all officials responsible for regional military recruitment centers, citing numerous ongoing criminal investigations.
- Though Reznikov has not been directly implicated in these scandals, they have nonetheless cast a shadow over his tenure.
- Furthermore, one of Ukraine’s most influential oligarchs and a key supporter of Zelensky, Ihor Kolomoisky, was arrested on Saturday as part of a fraud inquiry.
- Zelensky has emphasized the importance of eradicating corruption within Ukraine’s government, viewing it as crucial to Kyiv’s prospects of achieving long-sought membership in NATO and the European Union.
- According to a 2021 report by Transparency International, Ukraine ranks as the second most corrupt country in Europe, trailing only behind Russia. Globally, it stands at 122nd out of 180 countries.
- Zelensky’s pledge to combat government corruption was a significant factor in his rapid rise to power in 2019. A former comedian who portrayed Ukraine’s president in a popular TV show, Zelensky had no prior political experience when elected but managed to tap into the deep-seated frustration and revulsion over widespread corruption in the nation.
- While Ukraine officially obtained EU candidate status last year, Brussels has made it clear that Kyiv must intensify its efforts against corruption to qualify for full membership.
