Key facts
- Rustem Umerov is expected to be appointed head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to issue a decree for the appointment.
- Ihor Klymenko is anticipated to take over Umerov's current role as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
- The Foreign Intelligence Service has been without a permanent chief since January.
- One source indicates Oleksandr Kononenko was appointed head of the Foreign Intelligence Service on January 2, 2026.
Rustem Umerov, the current secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and its top negotiator in U.S.-backed talks with Russia, is expected to be appointed as the new head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. President Volodymyr Zelensky is anticipated to issue a decree for this appointment. This move is part of a larger government reshuffle initiated by President Zelensky in July. Following Umerov's expected appointment, former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko is anticipated to succeed him as the secretary of the Security and Defense Council. The Foreign Intelligence Service has been operating without a permanent chief since January, with Major General Oleh Luhovyi serving as the acting head. One additional source indicates that Oleksandr Kononenko was appointed as the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service on January 2, 2026, with a background focused on countering Russian propaganda.