Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced the new composition of the National Security and Defense Council on July 19, 2025, as part of a wider reshuffle of the government. Aside from the aforementioned key changes, the same members still make up the council. There is one major change that is Rustem Umerov Zelensky‘s former defense minister, to replace Oleksandr Lytvynenko as secretary of the council. Officials added that Lytvynenko was considered for an ambassadorial position in Serbia.
According to the Kyiv Independent, these changes are part of a broader government restructuring to best position Ukraine’s leadership for the ongoing battle with Russia.
Changes in the Security Council:
- Rustem Umerov was named council secretary, taking over for Oleksandr Lytvynenko.
- Lytvynenko was discussed in regards to an ambassadorial position in Serbia.
- Yuliia Svyrydenko and Denys Shmyhal are returning members.
- Oleksii Sobolev is a new member and is the head of a newly formed agency that includes the economy, ecology, and agriculture ministries.
Zelenskyy appoints former defence minister Umierov as secretary of National Security and Defence Council pic.twitter.com/3hkruhb4o2
— Volodymyr Tretyak 🇺🇦 (@VolodyaTretyak) July 19, 2025
There are also Svyrydenko and Shmyhal, both of whom served on the council and as deputy prime ministers. Sobolev will replace(for continuity purposes) Lytvynenko’s mantle as Lytvynenko is the head of a new agency with the former ministries of economy, ecology, and agriculture.
The National Security and Defense Council oversees Ukraine’s Armed Forces, foreign policy relating to war, and national defense against the invasion from Russia. It is critical to have a National Security and Defense Council in place, especially in an ongoing war, and frequent updates were made to the National Security and Defense Council in 2024. The announcement comes on the heels of a substantive government reshuffle, as Svyrydenko has been selected as the next prime minister, replacing Shmyhal as prime minister, who offered to replace Umerov as defense minister.
