Kaleniuk said audio recordings of fugitive businessman Tymur Mindich published by Ukrainian Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach appear authentic and repeatedly feature Umerov.
“He was constantly communicating with Tymur Mindich,” she said.
“Mindich was giving the defense minister instructions on how to help a particular [defense] company, Fire Point, how to get additional contracts for large budget orders for that company, and how to sell the company to the [United Arab] Emirates.”
She noted that Umerov frequently travels to the Middle East.
“Officially it’s presented as negotiations with the Russians about so
Kaleniuk said Umerov lacks the public trust needed to continue representing Ukraine as NSDC secretary, as head of the negotiating group with U.S. and Russian delegations, and as the official responsible for arms exports and sanctions because of an “obvious conflict of interest.” She added that while the National Anti