Media: Ukraine may tap security chief for Washington envoy role

Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, Rustem Umerov, is among the leading candidates to become the country’s next ambassador to the United States, according to sources in the Office of the President cited by LIGA.net.

Officials in the presidential office say Umerov’s potential appointment is linked to his experience in international negotiations and his involvement in defence-related agreements, qualifications seen as relevant for the Washington posting.

“Drone Deal and negotiations – this corresponds to the responsibilities of the new position. I think, yes – quite possible. But no decision has been made yet,” one source said, indicating that discussions remain ongoing.

Speculation about Umerov’s future role has intensified following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement on July 17 that former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko would be appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council.

At the time, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said there would be a “separate conversation” regarding Umerov, while also noting that broader кадровые changes were being prepared across Ukraine’s diplomatic corps.

“Changes are being prepared not in just one embassy, but closer to the meeting with ambassadors in August,” Lytvyn said.

The reported reshuffle comes amid wider efforts to adjust Ukraine’s diplomatic representation. The Financial Times recently reported that Zelenskyy has also been attempting to persuade former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to take up the ambassadorial post in Washington, despite her previously declining the offer.

Meanwhile, current Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna has asked to conclude her diplomatic service for personal reasons, according to media reports.

No official decision on Umerov’s potential appointment has been announced.

By Tamilla Hasanova