International

Umerov to replace Reznikov as Ukraine's defence minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that he has decided to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's main privatisation fund, according to Digi24.ro.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky said he was making the change as part of a broader reorganisation of Ukraine's defence establishment.

"This week, the parliament will be asked to make a decision on a change," Zelensky said. "I want to announce it now. I have decided to replace the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of war. I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the army and society as a whole. Now, Rustem Umerov should lead the ministry. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine knows this person well, and Mr. Umerov does not need further introductions. I expect the parliament to support this candidate."

Reznikov, who was appointed defence minister in November 2021, helped secure billions of dollars in Western military aid to help Ukraine's war effort, but he was also dogged by allegations of corruption in his ministry, which he has dismissed as slander.

The change in defence minister must be approved by parliament, but it is likely to be supported by a majority of lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada. Zelensky has said he expects parliament to approve Umerov's appointment.

Umerov, a 41-year-old former lawmaker who is a Crimean Tatar, has led Ukraine's State Property Fund since September 2022 and has played a role in sensitive negotiations during the war, such as the agreement on grain shipments in the Black Sea.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Read more

Tragic accident in Galați: three people from the Republic of Moldova died
Social

Tragic accident in Galați: three people from the Republic of Moldova died

Three people, two women and a man, died in a serious road accident on DN 26, in Foltești, Galați County, Romania. The tragedy occurred following a head-on collision between a car and a TIR, both vehicles being registered in the Republic of Moldova, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Chisinau.

Bogdan Nigai Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

Obstruction of free movement on the bridge over the Nistru from Gura Bâcului – Bâcioc, to the attention of the Joint Control Commission
Regional

Obstruction of free movement on the bridge over the Nistru from Gura Bâcului – Bâcioc, to the attention of the Joint Control Commission

A consensus was not reached on signing the weekly report on the situation in the Security Zone, at the meeting of the Joint Control Commission, held on Thursday, November 28 in Bender. The refusal of the Transnistrian delegation to include in the document information about Tiraspol’s actions aimed at fortifying the illegal post in the town of Bâcioc, in the immediate vicinity of the bridge over the Nistru, led to the blocking of the process.

Deputy from Gagauzia, convicted of influence peddling: fine of 175,000 lei and confiscation of 240,000 lei
Social

Deputy from Gagauzia, convicted of influence peddling: fine of 175,000 lei and confiscation of 240,000 lei

A deputy from the territorial administrative unit (UTA) Gagauzia was fined 175,000 lei and had over 240,000 lei, the equivalent of 12,000 euros, confiscated for committing the crime of influence peddling. The decision was made by the Chisinau Court based in Buiucani, on November 26, 2024, informs the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

Bogdan Nigai Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai