Zelensky introduced the new defense minister to the military, and Umerov named his five priorities in the new position

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky presented to the military the new Minister of Defense of Ukraine - the candidacy of Rustem Umerov was supported by the Verkhovna Rada the day before.

“We need a new subjectivity of the Ministry of Defense. This is the ministry responsible for coordinating the entire defense sector. The Ukrainian soldier is a key priority for the defense forces. If changes in the activities of the defense forces are necessary for the good and strength of a warrior, then such changes must be instantaneous. This applies to everything from bureaucratic procedures that take up the time and energy of the soldiers, to the provision of our soldiers. Everything that can be digitized should be digitized. Every bureaucratic procedure that can be abolished must be abolished. Every thing that can save the life and health of soldiers must be found and supplied to the Ukrainian troops. We need a new philosophy of attitude towards Ukrainian soldiers: people are not a costly material. Their time and strength is the value of the state”, Zelensky noted.

He stressed that at present, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have the world’s largest experience of successful defense in modern warfare, and that everything that such protection provides should work for every Ukrainian soldier, for the state as a whole and for the security of partners.

“This needs to be done. Purposefully. This applies to everything, from the training of soldiers to the medical support of brigades, from combat to communication with the relatives of our soldiers. And most importantly, we need more trust. Trust in the decisions made, trust in ongoing purchases, trust in the delivery that is planned and carried out, and trust in communication between units and the links of the Ukrainian defense system they need. I am sure that Rustem Umerov is able to provide this”, the president added.

The new head of the defense office named five priorities in the work of the Ministry:

• Military centricity. The military is the highest value.

• Formation of the subjectivity of the ministry.

• Tightening and expansion of the international coalition: new coalitions, new allies, expansion of geography.

• Zero tolerance for corruption and digitalization.

• Development of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex.

Our plan is to win! We must do everything to bring it closer as soon as possible. Glory to Ukraine!” he added.

Previously, Rustem Umerov worked as the head of the State Property Fund. Oleksiy Reznikov, whom he replaced as Minister of Defense, according to some versions, may head the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in the UK.

Photo from the page of Rustem Umerov