Rustem Umerov was commended for his exemplary management of Ukraine’s agency for state assets during his year in charge. As Ukraine’s incoming defence minister, the Muslim politician, activist and former businessman has an even bigger challenge: shoring up public confidence in a defence establishment tainted by graft allegations.
As the country gears up for a long war with Russia, activists, former officials and government figures said the appointment of Umerov — which still has to be ratified by parliament — was a deft move by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has stepped up efforts to root out corruption.
Vitaliy Shabunin, chair of Kyiv-based anti-graft watchdog AntAC, said Umerov’s appointment “will probably be the best decision of the president”.