- Category
- Latest news
Rustem Umerov Named Ukraine’s New National Security and Defense Council Secretary
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Rustem Umerov as the new Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), replacing Oleksandr Lytvynenko.
The corresponding decrees No. 495/2025 and No. 496/2025 were published on the official website of the President on July 18.
In the decree on dismissal, Zelenskyy stated that Oleksandr Lytvynenko was relieved of his duties as NSDC Secretary. In a separate decree, the President appointed Rustem Umerov to the position.
Umerov had held the position of Ukraine’s Minister of Defense for nearly two years, having taken office in September 2023.
Alongside these appointments, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada voted to approve an updated government led by newly appointed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Additionally, President Zelenskyy has appointed former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as Special Representative for the Development of Cooperation with the United States.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also held a meeting with Rustem Umerov to discuss the work of the NSDC, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff, and Umerov’s personal tasks in the defense and negotiation spheres.
Ukrainian President outlined three key priorities for Umerov.
“The first task is to continue working with our partners on weapons agreements. We must fully implement every deal on arms supply and advance new special agreements on joint production and building factories in partner countries,” Zelenskyy said.
Second, to assess the implementation of decisions made by the NSDC and the Staff, ensure that any delayed actions are carried out, and significantly strengthen the technological component of the Staff’s work. Zelenskyy stressed the need for clear coordination and full execution of decisions within Ukraine’s defense and security sector.
“And the third is to activate the negotiation track. We are currently working on implementing the agreements of the second meeting in Istanbul, but this process needs much more momentum,” Zelenskyy added.
Earlier, Ukraine saw its first full government reshuffle since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The new Cabinet, approved by parliament, combines fresh appointments with several returning ministers and is tasked with boosting defense, strengthening cooperation with the United States, and streamlining governance in wartime.
