President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed Yevhenii Khmara to serve as acting defence minister of Ukraine. Once the necessary legal procedures have been completed, the President intends to ask the Verkhovna Rada to approve Khmara’s appointment to the post.
Zelenskyy announced the decision after a meeting with Khmara, during which they discussed long-range operations against Russia and the provision of essential equipment to Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
The President said Khmara has a strategic vision for how Ukraine should continue acting to defend its independence and force Russia towards diplomacy.
According to Zelenskyy, Yevhenii Khmara has gained extensive and, in many respects, unprecedented experience in conducting technology-driven strike operations.
“This is exactly what our defence must focus on in this war,” the President said.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine would continue all active programmes aimed at developing and strengthening its Defence Forces. These include direct funding for combat brigades, the fair distribution of personnel, the maximum provision of unmanned ground systems and all types of drones, and the prompt implementation of agreements with international partners.
The President said Khmara’s strengths for the Defence Ministry include proven results in long-range operations, substantial security experience and leadership experience at the Security Service of Ukraine’s Alpha Special Operations Centre.
“I instructed Yevhenii Khmara to perform the duties of minister, continue reforming the defence sector and deliver all the results for Ukraine that we discussed,” Zelenskyy said.
After the necessary legal procedures are completed, the President plans to ask members of parliament to support Khmara’s appointment as Ukraine’s defence minister.
