Ukraine reorganizes negotiation team ahead of key US talks Umerov to lead instead of Yermak

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), as head of Kyiv’s delegation for negotiations with the United States, Presidential Office aide Serhiy Leshchenko announced. 

The decree has also been published on the official website of the Ukrainian president. Previously, the negotiation delegation had been led by Andriy Yermak, who was dismissed from his post as head of the Presidential Office the day before.

The official decree, cited by Leshchenko, states:

"Approve the new composition of the Ukrainian delegation to participate in the negotiation process with the United States of America and other international partners: Rustem Enverovych Umerov — Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, head of the delegation."

Shortly before this announcement, Bloomberg, citing a source, reported that the delegation travelling to the US to discuss a peace plan includes Umerov and Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya. Axios correspondent Barak Ravid added that, according to his information, the delegation will also include Lieutenant General Andriy Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine, and representatives of Ukrainian intelligence.

According to Oliver Carroll of The Economist, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, Kyrylo Budanov, will also be travelling to the US.

On November 28, Yermak’s apartment was searched. His name appears in the ongoing “Midas” investigation—a corruption scheme involving the state corporation Energoatom, which investigators allege was organised by businessman and Zelenskyy ally Timur Mindich. Shortly after the searches, President Zelenskyy dismissed Yermak.

Previously, the head of the Presidential Office had participated in consultations between Ukraine, the US, and European representatives in Geneva over the past weekend. Following the talks on a peace plan, the parties prepared an updated framework document and agreed to continue intensive work on joint proposals. Final decisions on the document will be made by the presidents of Ukraine and the United States.

By Tamilla Hasanova