Rustem Umierov Seeks Protection from the U.S.

Rustem Umierov, the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, has requested protection from the FBI's Director, Chris Wray, concerning the investigation tied to businessman Timur Mindich by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). This information was reported by the Ukrainian publication Зеркало недели, citing sources.

Previously serving as Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Umierov has been appointed as the head of the National Security and Defense Council following the resignation of Andriy Yermak from the President’s Office. He has also been designated as the new leader of Ukraine's negotiating team regarding peace settlement issues.

The publication had previously reported on a corruption scandal potentially involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.