Svyrydenko Steps Down: Zelenskyy Announces a Cabinet Reshuffle
12 July 15:01
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he will dismiss Yulia Svyrydenko from her post as prime minister. However, she will not be left without a job—she will take the helm of another department. This was reported by
Zelenskyy announced an update to the country’s political strategy, which calls for a new approach to foreign policy, intensified domestic efforts, and sweeping personnel changes in the government and law enforcement agencies.
According to the head of state, from now on, each priority area of foreign policy will be overseen by a specific individual with extensive professional experience, who will ensure the implementation of agreements reached at the head-of-state level.
“Each priority area of foreign policy will be overseen by a specific individual with significant experience, who is capable of implementing what we agree upon at the leadership level and what the Ukrainian people expect,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Among the key areas, the president cited cooperation with the United States, in particular the implementation of agreements regarding licenses for the production of Patriot systems and the development of bilateral security cooperation. They also plan to pay special attention to the European anti-ballistic missile project, which, according to the president, could become one of the most important steps toward strengthening European security over the next decade.
Ukraine’s European integration has been identified as a separate priority. The President emphasized the need to ensure “clear progress toward Ukraine’s membership” in the European Union and to deepen economic, political, and cultural ties with European partners.
In addition, the updated strategy calls for a reset of relations with neighboring countries, primarily Poland and Hungary, intensifying cooperation with countries in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, developing dialogue with China, and strengthening engagement with international organizations that can help bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
At the same time, Zelenskyy announced new priorities in domestic policy. According to him, frontline and border regions, which face Russian attacks on a daily basis, require immediate attention.
“All efforts in Ukraine’s frontline and border regions, which face Russian strikes every day, need to be significantly stepped up,” the president noted.
He also expressed hope for an increase in the supply of necessary weapons and all types of drones to the Ukrainian military.
The head of state identified the country’s preparation for the coming winter as another key priority. According to him, Ukraine must be ready for any possible threats, and state-owned companies must accelerate their transformation to strengthen the country’s resilience. Special attention will be given to implementing agreements with international partners regarding post-war reconstruction.
To implement the updated strategy, personnel changes will begin in Ukraine. Zelenskyy reported that he had discussed this issue with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
“We have determined that these changes require a reshuffle of the Cabinet of Ministers,” the president said.
He thanked Yulia Svyrydenko for her “clear, steady, and effective work” as prime minister and noted that he had offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of cooperation between Ukraine and one of its key international partners. The president also expressed hope that, together with the Verkhovna Rada, the necessary personnel decisions would be made in the near future.
In addition to reshuffling the government, Zelenskyy announced changes in the leadership of law enforcement agencies, which, he said, are intended to ensure the effective implementation of the state’s new political strategy.
According to media reports, candidates being considered for the post of prime minister include Serhiy Koretskyi, head of Naftogaz; Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov; former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal; and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
As a reminder, earlier
