Zelenskyy shakes up Ukrainian Cabinet, appointing a new prime minister
to reinvigorate war effort
[July 17, 2025]
By HANNA ARHIROVA
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s economy minister and the key negotiator
in the mineral deal with the U.S, Yuliia Svyrydenko, was appointed as
its new prime minister Thursday, becoming the country's first new head
of government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in
Ukraine’s government, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reshuffles the
Cabinet in a bid to energize a war-weary nation and boost domestic
weapons production in the face of Russia’s grinding invasion.
At home, however, the Cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major
shift, as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have
proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth
year.
Zelenskyy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government
positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal,
the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine’s history.
Shmyhal now moves to become defense minister, according to the
parliamentary website.
Other changes are expected in the Cabinet, but Svyrydenko’s appointment
as prime minister is taking center stage.
She played a key role in negotiating a U.S.–Ukraine mineral agreement,
ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently
represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing
on defense cooperation, economic recovery and reconstruction.
Lawmakers and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with
a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office.
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Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia
Svyrydenko speaks in the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine,
Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Vadym Sarakhan, File)
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital
Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for
the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production,
fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine’s defense forces,
easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring
delivery of social support programs.
Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He
held the position for more than five years after being appointed on
March 4, 2020.
Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as
an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskyy.
Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team.
His new post as defense minister means he is not leaving government
entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The
defense ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries
critical importance because of the war.
Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push
reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent
dysfunction in Ukraine’s defense procurement system. Despite his
active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry
remained plagued by mismanagement.
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