This move comes at a time of intensified Russian offensives in the Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions and on the eve of key negotiations with the United States of America on ending the war, Kyiv Independent writes.
“It is time to update the basic defense documents of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
“The course of military operations has shown what should become the new priorities.”
According to the president, Defense Minister Denis Šmihal presented the key points that indicate the need to update the country’s defense plan.
Šmihal will prepare detailed proposals that he will submit to the Council of Ministers for approval. In particular, Zelensky stressed that the government and the Ministry of Defense must ensure full funding for the acquisition of drones, a priority given that Ukraine relies heavily on unmanned systems to offset Russia’s manpower and firepower advantage.
Zelenski also held a separate meeting with the head of the military intelligence service Kirill Budanov ahead of the planned negotiations with the USA.
Budanov, who is part of a delegation led by the Secretary of the Council for National Security and Defense Rustem Umerov, is scheduled to meet with high-ranking American officials in the coming days. Budanov briefed the president on the security and political landscape and outlined key points for the upcoming talks.
These meetings are taking place in the midst of the leadership transition in Kyiv, prompted by the resignation of Andrije Jermak, until recently the head of the President’s Office. Jermak stepped down after the National Anti-Corruption Bureau searched his assets on November 28 as part of a major embezzlement investigation at state-run nuclear company Energoatom.
It is expected that Zelenski will soon appoint a new head of the office.
Jaroslav Zeleznyak, a representative of the opposition party Holos, told the Kyiv Independent that four candidates are being discussed: Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, Minister of Digital Transformation Mihail Fedorov, whom Zelensky also met today, Kirill Budanov and Denis Shmihal. According to him, Šmihal seems to be the strongest candidate for that position.
(Vijesti.ba)
