Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially confirmed the replacement of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as part of a comprehensive Cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening the country's wartime administration. According to Reuters, Zelenskyy announced that he had offered Svyrydenko a new role focused on managing relations with one of Ukraine's key international partners, without naming the country. The president expressed gratitude for Svyrydenko's clear, steady, and effective work as Prime Minister and her years of productive service on Ukraine's team. Svyrydenko confirmed her departure in a post on X, stating she was proud to have led the Government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine's modern history and thanking every man and woman defending Ukrainian land. As reported by Kyiv Post, Zelenskyy nominated Svyrydenko to the role of prime minister last year, making this a significant leadership transition. Zelenskyy said he discussed the details with Svyrydenko and determined that the changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers, stating "I expect that, together with MPs, we will make the corresponding changes in the Government of Ukraine."
As reported by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, Naftogaz Chief Executive Serhii Koretskyi is being considered for the prime minister's post. Former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is also among the contenders, according to the same sources. No final decision has been announced regarding the successor selection process.
According to Kyiv Post, Zelenskyy described the overhaul as part of a broader political strategy to improve the functioning of the government during the war. The president emphasized that the administration needed to adapt to current challenges and speed up decision-making processes. The proposed changes would now require parliamentary approval, as announced by Zelenskyy in a statement posted on X. Zelenskyy confirmed that there would be changes in the leadership of law enforcement agencies as part of the comprehensive restructuring, stating "There will also be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies." As reported by Kyiv Post, Zelenskyy listed a number of tasks that Ukraine needed to undertake, including making progress towards joining the European Union and strengthening its border areas. He also said he planned to assign different people to manage different areas of foreign policy.
As reported by Ukraine's UNN news agency, Zelenskyy formally announced plans to update the Cabinet of Ministers and proposed that Svyrydenko take charge of a new significant direction in relations with a key international partner. According to Kyiv Post, the government's priorities include increasing support for frontline and border regions, expanding weapons and drone supplies for the military, preparing for winter, accelerating reforms at state-owned enterprises and overseeing reconstruction agreements with international partners. The new political strategy would focus on key foreign policy priorities, including agreements to manufacture Patriot air defence systems under licence, advancing Ukraine's bid for European Union membership and deepening ties with the Gulf region, which Zelenskyy described as one of the world's 'most promising' areas for security and economic cooperation. Zelenskyy outlined plans to reorganize Ukraine's foreign policy responsibilities, with dedicated officials expected to oversee key strategic relationships and initiatives including defence cooperation with the US, European missile defence projects, Ukraine's European Union integration process, ties with neighbouring countries such as Poland and Hungary, engagement with the Middle East and Gulf region, relations with China, and coordination with major international organizations. He emphasized that Ukraine is changing its political strategy and assigning each priority area of foreign policy to a specific person with substantial experience, stating those officials would be responsible for implementing what is agreed at the leaders' level and what the Ukrainian people expect.
The Cabinet reshuffle requires parliamentary approval, though lawmakers have largely coalesced around Zelenskyy since Russia's invasion and do not typically block his agenda. As reported by Kyiv Post, Zelenskyy stated that he expects to make the corresponding changes in the Government of Ukraine together with MPs. The president noted that they determined that these changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers, without elaborating on specific reasons for the comprehensive overhaul. The parliamentary approval process is expected to proceed smoothly given the current political alignment supporting Zelenskyy's administration during Ukraine's ongoing conflict.
