Rustem Umerov
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov held meetings in Turkey with the Minister of Defense, the head of intelligence, and the President's advisor. Prisoner exchanges and deepening defense cooperation, including joint projects and technologies, were discussed.
Rustem Umerov stated that attempts to link his work at the Ministry of Defense with the influence of any individuals are groundless. He confirmed a meeting with Timur Mindich, after which the contract for body armor was terminated due to product non-compliance.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov arrived in Istanbul to work on unblocking the prisoner exchange process. He plans meetings in Turkey and the Middle East to resume exchanges.
The President of Ukraine dismissed Serhiy Demediuk and Andriy Kononenko from their positions as Deputy Secretaries of the National Security and Defense Council. Demediuk had held the position since October 2019, and Kononenko since April 2024.
The Verkhovna Rada, in its first reading, supported a bill on a 12-month deferment from mobilization for men aged 18-24 who served one year under contract during martial law. This will allow volunteers to rest and undergo rehabilitation after service.
President Zelenskyy held a conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, discussing steps to strengthen Ukraine's defense and energy aid. The parties coordinated diplomatic work and agreed to meet for further support of Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with Umerov, outlining priorities: preparing defense agreements to strengthen aviation and meetings with European leaders. Also a priority is the agenda of Staff meetings.
Kyiv and Washington are preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems, which is a request from the Ukrainian army. The deal is planned to be financed by frozen Russian assets.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Andriy Yermak, met with Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to coordinate priorities before the meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and the United States. Issues of military cooperation, sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the return of deported children were discussed.
Yermak reported on a working call with the President of Ukraine, where they discussed deepening cooperation in the areas of air defense, long-range weapons, and aviation. The delegation is preparing the groundwork for a future conversation between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States, scheduled for Friday.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak will hold a series of meetings in the US to prepare for a conversation between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump regarding achieving peace. Ukraine's Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova reported on a new format of interaction and expectations of an announcement of new arms supplies to Ukraine.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak held a meeting in Washington with manufacturers of air defense systems. The Ukrainian delegation is working on preparing Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the United States.
Rustem Umerov announced personnel changes in the National Security and Defense Council: Colonel-General Ruslan Khomchak has been dismissed from the post of First Deputy Secretary, and Major-General Yevhen Ostrianskyi has taken his place. Ostrianskyi will be responsible for military issues, coordination of the security and defense sector, interaction with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and preparation of Staff meetings.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an upcoming meeting with President Trump in Washington on Friday. He also noted that the Ukrainian team has already departed for the US for a series of meetings, and the main topics of the visit will be air defense and long-range capabilities.
Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington on October 17. The meeting will follow two phone calls during which military support and ways to end the war with Russia were discussed.
Ukraine's delegation, led by Yulia Svyrydenko and Rustem Umerov, has departed for Washington. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen air defense, strike capabilities, energy resilience, and tighten sanctions against the aggressor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a shortage of interceptor drones to shoot down Shaheds, but emphasized that work is underway to produce them. He also noted that Ukraine is working on the regular use of its own ballistic missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed to develop key elements of the Ukrainian arms export system. Export platforms are planned to be launched in Europe, the USA, and the Middle East by the end of 2023.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov announced a technology stake that will focus on increasing funding for arms procurement. One of the tools will be controlled arms exports, which should fill the budget for defense procurement.
A technical delegation from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine held negotiations with the United States regarding the agreement on the purchase and production of drones, announced by President Zelenskyy. The agreement provides for the purchase of Ukrainian drones for 5 years and the possibility of joint production, and the supply of US weapons under the PURL mechanism was also discussed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on strengthening sanctions policy, instructing to extend the validity of expiring sanctions and accelerate synchronization with partners. In September, Ukraine imposed sanctions against 166 individuals and 127 legal entities, and also synchronized British sanctions.
At the technological Staff meeting of the Commander-in-Chief, the needs of the Defense Forces for drones and missiles, as well as the effectiveness of their use, were discussed. Following the meeting, specific tasks were approved for implementers, and control over their execution was established.
Ukraine is increasing the production and contracting of UAVs, including interceptor drones, according to National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. Next week, a technology Staff meeting will be held to scale up Ukrainian drone programs.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov stated the need to increase the share of contract soldiers in the army among citizens aged 18-24. This was discussed at the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, where the expansion of contract service opportunities was also considered.
The Ukrainian delegation, led by the President of Ukraine, held talks with US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg. They discussed the supply of American weapons, drone programs, and security guarantees for Ukraine's skies.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov discussed a new prisoner exchange with the Russian side; Ukraine aims to return 1,000 people. President Zelenskyy states that Russia is delaying the process despite agreements.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine needs security guarantees, strong Armed Forces, and the support of allies. He emphasized that Ukraine has fulfilled its part of the agreement with the US and Europe, and now it is Russia's turn to take concrete steps for a settlement.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov stated that Russia plans to increase the number of attacks on Ukraine to a thousand per day. Ukraine needs additional air defense systems and funding for interceptors.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov stated that the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine is ongoing. Further steps regarding a ceasefire are expected after trilateral and bilateral meetings in Washington.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov met with the Head of the NATO Representation Patrick Turner. Security guarantees for Ukraine and the implementation of the PURL program, which allows financing the purchase of American weapons, were discussed.