Zelenskyy replaces Prime Minister in government reshuffle

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday announced plans to overhaul his cabinet, requesting Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko's resignation after just one year in the role.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv is "changing its political strategy," but provided few details. This marks the fourth reshuffle of top officials since the war with Russia began four and a half years ago.

Gratitude and new role

The president thanked Svyrydenko for her "clear, steady and effective work" as Prime Minister and for years of productive service on Ukraine's team. He added that Svyrydenko has been offered the chance to lead "a new and important area of relations with a key partner," without specifying further.

Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak suggested that Svyrydenko, who played a key role in securing a minerals deal with Washington, could be in line for the US ambassador post.

Successor not announced

Zelenskyy did not name Svyrydenko's successor. However, citing Ukrainian lawmakers, Reuters reported that former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, currently Energy Minister, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Serhiy Koretskyi, head of state energy company Naftogaz, are among possible candidates. Zelenskyy published photos of separate meetings with Shmyhal, Fedorov, and Koretskyi.

He also announced plans to reshuffle leaders of Ukraine's law enforcement agencies. Under Ukrainian law, the prime minister's resignation requires parliamentary approval and entails the resignation of the entire government.

Svyrydenko ready for next role

Svyrydenko, who previously served as deputy prime minister and economy minister, said she was "proud to have had the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine's modern history." She wrote on X that she discussed "next steps" with Zelenskyy, but did not elaborate. "I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine's position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer," she added.

Recently, Svyrydenko helped Zelenskyy manage fallout from Ukraine's largest corruption scandal, involving a $100 million (€87.3 million) kickback scheme at state nuclear company Energoatom, where officials and contractors allegedly demanded 10% to 15% bribes on procurement contracts. As a result, Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk resigned.