President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Yevhen Khmara as acting minister of defense of Ukraine and, once the necessary legal procedures are completed, will ask the Verkhovna Rada to endorse his nomination.
According to Ukrinform, the president announced this on Telegram.
“I just spoke with Yevhenii Khmara about our long-range operations against Russia and the provision of necessary means to security units and Ukraine’s Defense Forces. It is critical that there is a strategic vision for Ukraine’s ongoing active efforts to defend our independence and force Russia into diplomacy. Yevhenii Khmara has gained extensive and, in many respects, unprecedented experience with technological combat operations. This is exactly where our defense efforts should be focused during this war,” Zelensky stated.
He emphasized that Ukraine will continue to implement programs to develop and strengthen the Defense Forces, including direct funding for combat brigades, the equitable distribution of personnel, the maximum provision of unmanned ground vehicles and all types of drones, as well as the prompt implementation of agreements with international partners.
“Under the current circumstances, I believe that real effectiveness in long-range operations, a genuinely strong background in security work that will ensure control over the internal situation across the components of the Defense Forces, and real experience in managing personnel at the SSU’s Center of Special Operations 'Alpha' should all be advantageous in the position of Ukraine’s Minister of Defense. I have tasked Yevhenii Khmara with serving as acting minister, continuing to reform the defense sector, and ensuring that Ukraine achieves all of the results we have discussed. Once the necessary legal procedures have been completed, I will request that MPs support Yevhenii Khmara’s nomination for the position of Minister of Defense of Ukraine,” Zelensky stated.
