Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, has officially headed the Expert Council on Energy Security. The corresponding decree was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 5, 2026, securing the traditional leadership of this consultative body for the head of the NSDC.
Background and Personnel Changes in the NSDC
The document signed by the head of state introduces official amendments to the original decree dated May 29, 2020, which served as the basis for the creation of the Expert Council on Energy Security. According to established practice, management of this council is directly assigned to the incumbent NSDC Secretary. The previous head of the agency, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, held this post from March 2024 to July 2025. Interestingly, even after his dismissal as NSDC Secretary, Lytvynenko retained the seat of council chairman for some time, despite Rustem Umerov being appointed as the secretary back then.
New Status and Career Path of Ihor Klymenko
The appointment of Ihor Klymenko to this position logically continues the series of large-scale personnel reshuffles in the country's top leadership. Klymenko himself assumed the post of NSDC Secretary relatively recently, on August 3, 2026, succeeding Rustem Umerov, who was transferred to head the Foreign Intelligence Service. Prior to moving to the NSDC apparatus, Ihor Klymenko successfully headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for more than three years, taking office in February 2023 following the tragic death of Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, and even earlier he effectively managed the National Police of Ukraine.
Strategic Importance of the Energy Council
The Expert Council on Energy Security plays a critically important role in coordinating the actions of specialized departments, developing preventive measures, and analyzing potential threats to the state's critical infrastructure. In the face of permanent challenges in the energy sector, integrating the powers of the NSDC Secretary with the leadership of the expert council is intended to increase the speed of strategic decision-making and ensure maximum synergy between the security bloc and state energy companies.
