Zelenskyy appoints chief negotiator Rustem Umerov as Head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service

On August 3, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed chief negotiator Rustem Umerov as head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, replacing acting chief Oleh Luhovskyi. Umerov resigned as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, a post now filled by former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Umerov will retain his critical diplomatic responsibilities, including peace negotiations, U.S. relations, and drone programs, amid a highly controversial security reshuffle that has triggered public protests.

Rustem Umerov intelligence appointment

• ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Rustem Umerov as the head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service via a decree published on August 3, 2026.
• ▪Rustem Umerov resigned from the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to assume the leadership of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Ukraine chief negotiator role

• ▪Rustem Umerov is tasked with coordinating the joint European-Ukrainian development of the "Freyja" anti-ballistic system, intended as a cheaper alternative to the U.S.-made Patriot system.
• ▪Rustem Umerov will continue to coordinate Ukraine's peace negotiations to end the war with Russia, defense diplomacy, and cooperation with the United States
• ▪Rustem Umerov will maintain oversight of the Drone Deal initiative and advanced military technology agreements with international partners.

Foreign intelligence service leadership

• ▪Major General Oleh Luhovskyi, who had served as the acting head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service since February 2026, was officially relieved of his duties on August 3, 2026.
• ▪The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine had been operating without a permanent chief since January 2026, following the departure of Oleh Ivashchenko.

Zelenskyy security personnel decisions

• ▪President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, replacing Rustem Umerov.
• ▪The security appointments are part of a broader government reshuffle launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July 2026, which included the dismissals of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
• ▪The removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in July 2026 triggered nationwide protests and public criticism in Ukraine, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement.