Rustem Umerov: "Security, Weapons, Technology, Sanctions, and Diplomacy are the Key Directions Forming the Basis of Ukraine's Defense Strategy"

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, participated in the annual meeting of heads of Ukraine's foreign diplomatic missions, held under the motto "From the Strength of Diplomacy to the Diplomacy of Force."

During his speech to Ukrainian diplomats, Rustem Umerov presented his vision of key strategic priorities in national security and defense. He emphasized that russia's protracted war against Ukraine has become not only a military conflict but also a challenge to the world order based on law.

"russia is interested in this war becoming commonplace – both for Ukrainians and for our partners. It uses this as a strategy: protracting the conflict, weakening attention to events in Ukraine, and a strategy of attrition," the NSDC Secretary stated.

In this context, according to Rustem Umerov, the NSDC of Ukraine must play a key role in synchronizing the state's efforts in the field of security and defense.

"The approach of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine is simple – maximum synchronization of actions of all actors in the security and defense sector. The NSDC must become a platform that integrates into a single system the actions of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Foreign Intelligence Service," he emphasized.

One of the first steps in this direction is an audit of the implementation of decisions by the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, which will allow identifying bottlenecks in the system and initiating targeted changes.

Among other priorities is ensuring the defense sector is supplied with weapons. Rustem Umerov stressed the importance of systemic control over the supply, production, and localization of armaments, as well as launching critically important production capacities within the country.

Equally important remains international coordination and concerted diplomatic activity in cooperation with allies.

"The NSDC takes on the role of analytical and coordination support for the negotiation track. Our common task is to form a unified vision with allies, coordinate actions, and clearly explain Ukraine's strategy on the international arena. A unified message to the outside world is needed – from analytics to allies' decisions," Rustem Umerov underscored.

Separately, the NSDC Secretary focused on sanctions as a key instrument for long-term deterrence of russian aggression.

"Sanctions are the third key element of russia's deterrence after weapons and the military-industrial complex. They have a long-term impact, which is why we must not only convince the world of the need to strengthen sanctions pressure on russia but also explain the effect of previously introduced restrictions. After all, sanctions significantly weaken the aggressor's financial, economic, and military capabilities," Rustem Umerov declared.

Summing up his speech, the NSDC Secretary of Ukraine also outlined five key directions that today form the basis of Ukraine's defense strategy: security, weapons, sanctions, diplomacy, and technology.