Analysis
International Relations
Prague’s Election Looms Large Over Central Europe’s Security Fate
2 October 2025
The appointment of a Crimean Tatar with a proven track record of managing privatisation and arms deliveries sends a powerful signal that Ukraine has not given up on taking back its territories.
The appointment of Rustem Umerov as the new minister of defence ticks so many boxes in terms of giving Ukraine’s war effort new impetus that one may be forgiven for thinking it’s too good to be true.
A former businessman and member of the opposition Holos (Voice) party, Umerov is a Crimean Tatar who was handpicked by President Volodymir Zelenskyy to replace Oleksiy Reznikov, whose strong track record in leading the war effort in the early months was marred by a wave of corruption scandals at the ministry.