Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has been dismissed. in his nightly address, Zelensky said it was time for "new approaches" in the defence ministry, BBC reported. Rezinkov was appointed defence minister in November 2021.
Before being appointed defence minister, he served in other governmental roles including deputy prime minister.
Politician and businessman Rustem Umerov has been nominated by Zelensky to be Reznikov's successor. "I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole," Zelenskyy said.
Rezinkov, in the meantime, is expected to be appointed Ukraine's new ambassador in the UK. He has become an internationally recognised figure since Russia invaded. He has been meeting with Ukraine's Western allies and played a key role in lobbying for additional military equipment.
Reportedly, he had indicated that he was exploring other positions with the Ukrainian president. Ukrainian defence advisor Yuriy Sak told the BBC that Reznikov spearheaded the transformation of the ministry, laying the groundwork for future NATO membership.
"His legacy is that he has convinced ministers of defence around the world that the impossible is possible."
In January this year, Zelenskyy shook up the cabinet, he fired several senior officials over a scandal linked to the procurement of wartime supplies; the country’s deputy defence minister resigned after facing allegations of corruption.
According to experts, the cabinet reshuffle is unlikely to lead to any major change in Ukraine's battlefield strategy.
