Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s former Defense Minister, holds only Ukrainian citizenship, according to his official asset declarations. Under Ukrainian law, dual citizens are barred from holding top security posts—making it highly unlikely he could have served as Defense Minister or later as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council had he possessed U.S. citizenship.
Kremlin-aligned media outlets, echoing claims made by former Ukrainian lawmaker Ihor Mosiychuk, have begun circulating reports alleging that Rustem Umerov holds U.S. citizenship—an assertion they say derailed his potential appointment as Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington.
Former lawmaker Ihor Mosiychuk has a history of promoting provocative or unverified claims, many of which are later amplified by pro-Kremlin media. In this instance, Mosiychuk—alongside the propaganda outlet Strana.ua—has again circulated a demonstrably false narrative.
Rustem Umerov’s asset declarations, available on the YouControl platform from 2020 to 2024, indicate he holds only Ukrainian citizenship. The documents also show no evidence of dual taxation or any financial obligations to U.S. tax authorities.
Moreover, had Rustem Umerov held U.S. citizenship, he would have been ineligible to serve as Ukraine’s Minister of Defense. Ukrainian legislation, amended in 2021, establishes strict criteria for high-ranking public officials, including a mandatory declaration confirming the absence of foreign citizenship or permanent residency rights in another country. Compliance with these provisions is a legal prerequisite for holding such posts.
Although Ukraine adopted legislation permitting multiple citizenship in June 2025, the law imposes strict limitations—explicitly prohibiting dual citizenship for civil servants and judges. As such, even under the current legal framework, Rustem Umerov would have been barred from serving as Minister of Defense or Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council if he held a U.S. passport.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense publicly refuted the claim in December 2023 that Rustem Umerov’s family members held U.S. citizenship. In an official statement, the ministry asserted: “The minister’s children are exclusively citizens of Ukraine. None of Umerov’s family members hold citizenship of other countries.”
The Ministry clarified the source of the confusion: Ukrainian passports for Umerov’s wife and children were issued at the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States after their previous documents expired. Consequently, the place of issuance is listed as the U.S. in official declarations—a detail that does not imply possession of American citizenship.
Notably, Umerov’s family relocated to the United States in 2016 amid security concerns tied to his work on Crimea’s de-occupation. Since 2014, as a delegate of the Crimean Tatar Kurultai, Umerov has been an outspoken advocate on international stages, highlighting human rights abuses in occupied Crimea and actively participating in efforts to secure the release of political prisoners.
Although Rustem Umerov did not assume the post of ambassador to the United States as many analysts had anticipated, on July 18, 2025, he was appointed Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. Shortly thereafter, on July 25, he resumed a prominent role by leading the Ukrainian delegation in peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul.
Previously, StopFake debunked false reports alleging an assassination attempt on Rustem Umerov in Kyiv during his time as Defense Minister.
