MOSCOW

The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine said on Wednesday that its head, Rustem Umerov, was summoned to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).

Umerov was questioned as a witness in the framework of the investigation into a corruption case involving businessman Timur Mindich.

NABU recently uncovered the $100 million corruption scheme into country's the energy sector. While the justice and energy ministers resigned, Mindich is said to have fled the country.

"Rustem Umerov was summoned to NABU in the capacity of a witness to provide testimony in a criminal proceeding initiated on grounds of interference in the activities of a state official. The conversation was constructive. Rustem Umerov answered all investigative questions within the bounds of procedural legislation," a press service statement read.

The NSDC informed that the interrogation took place on Tuesday. NABU has yet to comment on the matter.

Umerov served as Ukraine's defense minister in 2023-2025, and led the Ukrainian delegation at the Istanbul peace talks with Russia earlier this year.

The crackdown on corruption is critical if Ukraine hopes to advance its application to join the 27-member European Union, which formally opened accession negotiations with Kyiv in June 2024.

Critics say Kyiv has long suffered from corruption, an issue overshadowed by the war with Russia.