Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov submits resignation letter

4 September, 2023 Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov submits resignation letter. September 4, 2023. Photo credits: Social networks of the Minister of Defense

Oleksii Reznikov has submitted his resignation as Defense Minister. The Minister of Defense wrote about this on social networks on Monday, September 4. He published a photo of his letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk.

"Pursuant to the decision of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. I am ready for the report. Let's hold the line!" he wrote.

Reznikov added that he was ready to report on his work.

Oleksii Reznikov's resignation letter. September 4, 2023. Photo credits: Social networks of the Minister of Defense

In his resignation letter, he provided an overview of his 22 months in the post.

"We have come a long way. From a categorical refusal to provide Ukraine with Stinger MANPADS in November 2021, when I was first appointed Minister of Defense of Ukraine, to the formation of an "aviation coalition", the provision of modern tanks, air defense/missile defense systems, long-range missiles, armored vehicles, artillery, MLRS, and other types of modern Western-style weapons," Reznikov said. According to the minister, one of Ukraine's top priorities is to build a long-term partnership with key allies to ensure real security guarantees and the ability to defend itself.

Volodymyr Zelensky.

Photo credits: Office of the President

As previously reported, the day before, Zelensky confirmed his intention to dismiss Reznikov from the post of Minister of Defense and named his successor. He proposed the candidacy of Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukraine State Property Fund.

Rustem Umerov. Photo credits: hromadske.ua

The Verkhovna Rada will vote on the resignation of the Minister of Defense and the appointment of a new head of the Defense Ministry this week.

Zelensky said that the Ministry of Defense needed "new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole".