Ukraine has announced significant reforms in its leadership, appointing Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s new Prime Minister in an extensive government reshuffle.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Svyrydenko’s appointment following a parliamentary vote on Thursday. The 39-year-old succeeds Denys Shmyhal, who had been in office since 2020 and will now take on the role of defence minister.
Svyrydenko previously held the posts of first deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and trade. During that time, she worked closely with former US President Donald Trump’s administration and was credited with helping secure a key critical minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington earlier this year.
Taking to social media, the incoming prime minister laid out her vision.“Our Government sets its course toward a Ukraine that stands firm on its own foundations — military, economic, and social,” she said. “My key goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in daily life. War leaves no room for delay. We must act swiftly and decisively,” she added.
One of her top priorities will be scaling up Ukraine’s weapons manufacturing and strengthening the country’s armed forces, alongside broader efforts to support the domestic economy.
Shmyhal, 49, will now lead the defence ministry and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, 50, will remain in his current role.
Olga Stefanishyna, 39, who previously served as justice minister, has been nominated to become Ukraine’s new ambassador to the United States. Her appointment is subject to approval by Washington. With a background in working with the EU and NATO, Stefanishyna also contributed to the minerals deal with the Trump administration.
Although earlier reports suggested Defence Minister Rustem Umerov was being considered for the US envoy role, opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak claimed the nomination was blocked by the US.
Additional changes include Oleksiy Sobolev and Taras Kachka stepping into new cabinet positions, handling the portfolios of economy, environment, agriculture, and European integration.
