The National Security and Defense Council denies that Umerov's visit to Berlin was urgent
Media reports have emerged regarding an allegedly “urgent” visit by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov to Berlin, amid new statements from Moscow and escalating diplomatic tensions in Europe. At the same time, the Ukrainian side denies any urgent nature to the trip, calling it routine work with partners, according to Ukrainian media reports.
NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov arrived in Berlin after a visit to Brussels, where he reportedly discussed defense cooperation with representatives of the European Commission. Furthermore, according to journalists, he was scheduled to meet in the German capital with national security advisors from the E3 countries—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—and these contacts are taking place against the backdrop of a tense diplomatic context following Russian statements and attacks on Ukraine.
The report also notes that the EU has taken note of the timing of Umerov’s trip in relation to political discussions regarding Ukraine’s possible “associated membership” in the EU, which was allegedly proposed by certain European politicians. According to reports, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected such ideas, emphasizing that Ukraine must move toward full membership in the European Union.
One European diplomat, as quoted by Politico, called the timing of the visit “notable,” linking it to the broader context of negotiations in Europe. At the same time, the press service of the National Security and Defense Council emphasized that there was nothing “urgent” about the trip, and that it consisted of scheduled meetings with German and European partners, particularly regarding defense cooperation and negotiation processes.
It is also reported that Umerov held a meeting with a representative of the German Foreign Ministry, where the parties discussed security issues and further cooperation in the defense sector, including the development of joint projects in the field of drone technology. The NSDC separately emphasized that the topic of Ukraine’s limited EU membership was not discussed during these contacts.
The visit of Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, to Berlin is part of routine scheduled work, and during his meetings, the issue of Ukraine’s “limited” membership in the European Union was not raised at all.
On May 26, the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Rustem Umerov, unexpectedly arrived in Berlin to participate in confidential talks with national security advisors to the leaders of the E3 countries—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister of the aggressor country, the Russian Federation, stated during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Russia is “launching strikes on targets in Kyiv.”
Russia’s threats of new strikes on Kyiv are a hysterical reaction to setbacks on the front lines — Flash
Strikes on Kyiv may be part of Russia’s summer campaign — Bild
