Ukraine’s newly appointed foreign intelligence chief, Rustem Umerov, has laid out an ambitious agenda to expand Kyiv’s global security partnerships, strengthen intelligence cooperation and advance cutting-edge defense programs designed to counter Russia’s military advantage. President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Umerov to lead the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) on Monday, moving him from his previous post as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to the Ukrainian president, Umerov will also remain Ukraine’s chief negotiator in US-backed efforts to end Russia’s war, giving him an unusually broad portfolio spanning intelligence, diplomacy and defense technology.. In his Monday evening address, Zelensky confirmed the dual mandate, saying Umerov’s appointment to the Foreign Intelligence Service would give him “greater capacity to deal with these issues simultaneously.” Thanking Zelensky for his trust, Umerov said the SZRU has the potential to become “an even stronger instrument” for defending Ukraine’s national interests. Expanding global networks A central pillar of Umerov’s agenda will be expanding the extensive network Kyiv has built with the US, Britain, Norway, EU states, Turkey, the Middle East and Gulf countries, and the South Caucasus. The geographic reach underscores Ukraine’s effort to counter Russian influence far beyond Europe.