Zelensky appoints Umerov as head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the upcoming appointment of National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.

The announcement was made during a meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors in Kyiv, according to RBC-Ukraine.

According to Zelensky, Umerov will continue to coordinate work on the so-called “drone deals” — and not only in the Middle East direction. The new position, as envisioned by the president, is intended to expand Umerov’s capacity to work across several areas simultaneously.

“And so that he has more opportunities to deal with exactly these kinds of issues simultaneously — diplomacy, defense, the negotiation process with the United States and with certain other partners, as well as negotiations on ending the war — Umerov will be appointed head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service,” the head of state said.

With this, Zelensky confirmed information about Umerov’s appointment that had previously been circulating in Ukrainian media. Prior to this, Rustem Umerov had held the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.