Ukraine is ready to switch Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov with the chief of its navy spy company, a senior legislator has stated, in a high-profile cupboard reshuffle following corruption scandals and forward of an anticipated Russian offensive.
Reznikov, 56, could be transferred to a different ministerial job and changed by Kyrylo Budanov, 37, who heads Ukraine’s GUR navy intelligence company, David Arakhamia stated on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday.
“Warfare dictates personnel insurance policies,” stated Arakhamia, a detailed ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
There was no speedy assertion from Zelenskyy on changing Reznikov, a former lawyer who turned defence minister in November 2021, just a few months earlier than Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Reznikov has helped safe Western weapons to buttress Ukrainian forces, and his elimination as defence minister could be the highest-profile authorities change in a slew of resignations and sackings following a corruption scandal late final month and Zelenskyy’s pledge for Ukraine to satisfy Western requirements of fresh governance.
The scandal concerned meals contracts that envisaged paying vastly inflated costs. Amid the general public outcry, one in all Reznikov’s deputy ministers has been fired, whereas two different senior officers have additionally since left their posts.
Arakhamia stated that Ukraine’s “pressure” businesses — just like the defence ministry — shouldn’t be headed by politicians throughout wartime however by folks with a background in defence or safety.
“Kyrylo Budanov will head the defence ministry, which is completely logical in wartime,” the legislator stated.
Holding the rank of main normal, Budanov has headed the navy intelligence since August 2020.
“Time and circumstances require reinforcement and regrouping. That is taking place now and can proceed to occur sooner or later,” Arakhamia stated. “The enemy is making ready to advance. We’re making ready to defend ourselves,” he added, referring to Ukrainian fears that Russia is planning an enormous new offensive this month.
Ukraine is planning its personal counteroffensive however is ready for the arrival of battle tanks and infantry combating automobiles from Western allies.
Arakhamia added that Reznikov could be made minister of strategic industries however didn’t say when the strikes could be formalised.
Reznikov had stated earlier on Sunday that any resolution on a reshuffle was as much as Zelenskyy and that an inside audit of procurement procedures on the defence ministry was beneath manner. The ministry’s personal anti-corruption division had “failed” to do its job, he advised reporters, and wanted to be “fully rebooted”.
He advised the Ukrainian Fakty ICTV on-line media later within the night that the switch to the brand new ministry was information to him.
“If I immediately obtained such a suggestion from the president of Ukraine or the prime minister, I might refuse it, as a result of I wouldn’t have the experience,” Reznikov was quoted as saying.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, when requested in regards to the reshuffle on nationwide tv on Sunday night time, stated: “Reznikov was extraordinarily environment friendly when it comes to communication with our companions. And it is a crucial element on this case.”
Podolyak stated that Reznikov’s “great” private relations with allies have helped Ukraine safe billions of {dollars} of navy help to fend off the Russian invasion.
“Negotiations should not simply mathematical formulae but in addition private relationships. And belief. Sadly, at this time we’re dropping a measure of belief in us,” Podolyak stated.
Analysts stated any resolution to switch the defence minister wouldn’t have an effect on Ukraine’s navy operations.
“The timing shouldn’t be so essential,” stated William Courtney, senior fellow on the Rand Company, a United States-based assume tank.
“The principle factor is that the brand new minister of defence be succesful,” Courtney advised Al Jazeera. “The brand new minister of defence must be the consultant of the Ministry of Defence to the parliament, to the presidency, and likewise to many within the West. Oleksii Reznikov has loved fame within the West as an efficient minister of defence, who understood the broad political implications of what was occurring. Hopefully the brand new minister will carry out the identical position and never search to duplicate the navy technique capabilities.”