Volodymyr Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s defence minister
Ukraine chief Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the nation’s defence minister saying “new approachees” have been wanted because it continues its counteroffensive towards Russia.
Oleksii Reznikov has led the ministry since earlier than Vladimir Putin‘s Russia invaded in February 2022. Now Rustem Umerov, who runs Ukraine‘s State Property Fund, has been nominated to take over.
In his nightly handle from Kyiv, Ukranian president Zelensky, stated: “I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole.”
According to the BBC, Ukrainian media has speculated that Reznikov win poor health grow to be Kyiv’s new ambassador in London. He has developed sturdy relationships with senior politicians in Westminster.
Reznikov, 57, has grow to be a widely known determine internationally for the reason that starting of the conflict in Ukraine. He has recurrently attended conferences with western allies and lobbied for extra army assets.
His dismissal nevertheless has been anticipated for a while. He final week instructed reporters he was exploring different positions with the Ukraine president.
Media in Ukraine stated the previous defence minister was stated to be open to engaged on one other challenge for Zelensky’s administration. The president can be present process a wider anti-corruption drive because the nation wishes to hitch Western establishments such because the EU.
The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index presently ranks Ukraine in 116 out of 180. Although the nation has been making important makes an attempt to enhance.
And though Reznikov himself has not been accused of corruption, there have been quite a few scandals round procuring items and gear on the ministry of defence. Earlier this 12 months his deputy, Vyacheslav Shapovalov, resigned after turning into mired in scandal.
At the time it was stated Reznikov managed to hold onto his personal put up by the pores and skin of his enamel. He stated the stress he had endured over the previous 12 months was “hard to measure precisely”however stated his “conscience is absolutely clear”.
Reznikov’s dismissal comes as Ukraine wages a gradual and bloody counteroffensive towards Russia. It managed to safe weapons from the West to defend itself.
Although progress has usually been seen as gradual, Ukrainian leaders on Sunday stated forces have damaged by quite a few key traces of Russian defences within the south.