ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday tasked his country’s military leadership to engage in efforts to identify Kyiv’s defense needs.

“We discussed the frontline situation and engagements with partners on security guarantees for Ukraine. I outlined the key objectives,” Zelenskyy said on X following a meeting with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov.

Zelenskyy outlined that he instructed Umerov to urgently assemble a team that will engage with Kyiv’s partners concerning “all the details of the security system Ukraine needs” and the implementation of decisions made at the military-political level.

“As early as this week, the team should participate in the work in London at the relevant meeting of military representatives,” Zelenskyy added.

The Ukrainian president also tasked Hnatov to accelerate the formation of a corps system in the military, as well as to audit the current needs of Ukrainian combat brigades.

Zelenskyy underlined that their brigades “must be supplied to the maximum to ensure the resilience of our positions, both at the front and in diplomatic efforts.”

“Strengthening the army is a constant priority, and there can be no steps back in this regard. Ukraine's Defense and Security Forces, defense industry, and multilevel engagement with partners are the foundation of our independence,” he added.

Zelenskyy appointed Hnatov as Ukraine’s new chief of general staff on Sunday, replacing AnatoliyBarhylevych, who was appointed in February 2024.

Hnatov's appointment is part of broader efforts to modernize the army’s command structure and improve operational efficiency, Umerov stressed in a post on Facebook.