Why Putin is feeling more confident
Spectator (UK)7 days
Western Diplomats Warn Ukraine Over Weapons Procurement Dispute
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Above: Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov pictured in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Nov. 23, 2024. Image copyright: Petras Malukas/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Western diplomats have this week urged Ukraine to settle an ongoing dispute between its defense minister and its head of weapons procurement, warning that the rift could erode trust in the country and destabilize weapons reaching the front lines.
The message came after the supervisory board of Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) voted to extend the tenure of Maryna Bezrukova as the agency's head. However, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that under his authority, her contract would not be renewed.
Umerov cited poor performance as the reason for the decision and said that Arsen Zhumadilov, head of a sister agency that procures non-lethal items such as uniforms and food, would take on the role on top of existing responsibilities.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This dispute needs to be looked at promptly and needs to be resolved in a manner that's consistent with NATO's recommendations for how weapons procurement in Ukraine should operate. Failure to do so could result in the erosion of trust and lead to Ukraine not receiving the weapons it needs.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Bezrukova's dismissal is fully in line with the law and the Defense Ministry's authority. She was let go because instead of supplying troops with ammunition in a timely manner, she was more concerned with political games and leaking information to the media.
Establishment-critical narrative
The DPA was introduced following a number of scandals where arms manufacturers and middlemen were shamelessly profiting during the conflict. By trying to clean up the system, that's what brought Bezrukova into conflict with Umerov and his cronies. He ought to be the one that gets dismissed from his position.
