Statement by the dismissed defense minister

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, who was dismissed yesterday afternoon by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, announced that he had resigned to the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov announced on his social media account that he had submitted his resignation.

“I sent my resignation letter to Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian Parliament. “It has been an honor for me to serve the Ukrainian people and to work for the Ukrainian army during the last 22 months, the most difficult period in the modern history of Ukraine,” he said.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said in his daily afternoon address to the nation: “Now I want to explain it in general terms. I have decided to replace the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov went through a full-scale war that lasted more than 550 days. I think the ministry needs new approaches and other forms of interaction, both with the military and with society in general. Rustem Umerov must now lead the ministry. The Ukrainian Rada knows this person well, and Mr. Umerov needs no further introduction. “I hope that the parliament will support this candidate,” he said.

Zelenskiy said the decision will be presented to parliament this week.