Zelenskiy Proposes Government Reshuffle Amid Ongoing War with Russia

Kokcha News Agency – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday a major reshuffle in the executive branch, nominating First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to lead a new government and proposing current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to take over as defense minister.

The nominations, which require parliamentary approval, come as Ukraine continues to face significant challenges in its war with Russia, now in its fourth year, and seeks to revive its cash-strapped economy and strengthen its domestic arms industry.

In a post on X, Zelenskiy stated that the proposed changes aim to boost Ukraine’s economic potential, expand support programs for citizens, and scale up domestic weapons production. “We are initiating a transformation of the executive branch in Ukraine,” he wrote, adding that Svyrydenko would lead the government and “significantly renew its work.”

Svyrydenko, 39, an economist, has served as first deputy prime minister since 2021 and played a key role in recent negotiations for a minerals deal with the United States. Zelenskiy praised her leadership and economic expertise, emphasizing the need for efficient use of state resources to support defense and post-war recovery.

Shmyhal, who has been prime minister since March 2020, is the longest-serving head of government since Ukraine’s independence in 1991. Zelenskiy highlighted Shmyhal’s “vast experience” as valuable for the defense minister role, a position that currently demands significant resources and responsibility. Shmyhal would replace Rustem Umerov, who Zelenskiy suggested last week could be named Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington.

Ukraine relies heavily on financial aid from Western allies to fund social and humanitarian programs, as most state revenues are directed toward the military and domestic arms production. Ukrainian officials have urged international partners to help finance joint defense projects to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to boosting its own weapons production and developing joint defense projects with partners. Svyrydenko, writing on X, pledged to pursue deregulation, cut bureaucracy, protect businesses, and reduce non-critical expenditures to focus state resources on defense and post-war recovery.

“The state apparatus has no right to waste the resources and potential of our country,” Svyrydenko said. “Ukraine deserves to be among the strongest economies in Europe.”