Ukraine's PM Svyrydenko Steps Down as Zelensky Reshuffles Government
President says Kiev is "changing its political strategy" and needs a renewed cabinet to prepare for winter and press its EU bid
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has stepped down as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a reshuffle of the government aimed at preparing the country for the coming winter.
Zelensky announced Svyrydenko’s resignation on Sunday in a post on Telegram, saying that Ukraine was “changing its political strategy” and had offered her the chance to lead what he called a new and important area of Kiev’s relations with a key international partner. Each priority area of foreign policy, he said, would be assigned to a figure with substantial experience capable of delivering what leaders agree on and what the public expects.
The president added that there would also be changes at the top of Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies.
The tasks facing a new cabinet
Setting out the agenda for the incoming government in a post on X, Zelensky listed advancing the country’s bid to join the European Union, establishing a production line for US-licensed Patriot missiles, and readying the country for winter after repeated Russian strikes on the energy grid. Carrying out those plans, he said, required a renewed Cabinet of Ministers.
Svyrydenko is reportedly expected to become Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States. In a post on Facebook, she said she had already discussed her next steps with Zelensky and remained ready to serve the country in her new role.
The 40-year-old economist, a close confidante of the president, served as economy minister until last July, when she was appointed prime minister after playing a leading part in securing the controversial minerals agreement between Kiev and Washington pursued by US President Donald Trump.
First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal — Svyrydenko’s predecessor — will serve as acting premier pending approval of a new cabinet. Ukrainian media, however, regard Naftogaz chief executive Sergey Koretsky as the most likely candidate to take the post of prime minister.
Reference: PressTv