New Ukrainian Defense Minister, new round of 'more heavy weapons'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Sep 2023 23:56

Simultaneously and at the same conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blames the hindered counteroffensive on the slow deliveries of weapons.

New Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov attends peace talks with a Russian delegation in Belarus in 2022 (AP)

Ukraine's newly nominated and freshly appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is already asking for an increase in deliveries of heavy weapons.

"We are grateful for all the support provided... we need more heavy weapons," he said in a speech on Saturday during a conference, pleading, "We need them today. We need them now."

Simultaneously and at the same conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed the slow deliveries of weapons for the hindered counteroffensive.

On September 7, the United States unveiled a new $600 million security package, which includes a range of munitions and equipment aimed at enhancing Ukraine's air defenses and battlefield readiness.

"Ukrainian warriors today are sacrificing their lives for the core values of democracy and freedom. They need back up from you, dear partners. And this backup is weapons," Umerov expressed, after being appointed just this week after Zelensky urged for "new approaches" in Ukraine's Defense Ministry.

Earlier, Zelensky announced that former Defense Minister Oleksy Reznikov would be replaced as he believes the Ministry "needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole," dismissing him and appointing Umerov in his place.

Umerov, a Crimean Tatar, has been the head of Ukraine's State Property Fund since September 2022 and has been a main driver in some major war negotiations like the Black Sea grain deal.

Reznikov has denied previous accusations by anti-corruption activists and journalists regarding purchasing food and uniforms at inflated prices.

It is worth noting that corruption swept Ukraine long before the beginning of the war. Today, Ukraine is plagued with corruption, especially as hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and aid stream into the country, and the cost of reconstruction activities is anticipated to be in the billions. Furthermore, many have been warning that foreign weapons being supplied to Ukraine are sold on the black market, most notably in Africa.