Government reshuffle: Shmyhal among candidates for key ministry
2 January 23:52
Former Prime Minister of Ukraine and current head of the Ministry of Defense Denys Shmyhal may get a new position in the government – Minister of Energy of Ukraine. This was reported by journalist Vitaliy Glagola on the evening of January 2, citing his own sources in the President’s Office and among MPs, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to him, Shmyhal’s candidacy is currently under active discussion, but no final decision has been made.
The key argument in favor of this appointment is the politician’s managerial experience and his previous work in the energy sector before joining the government.
“The decision has not been made yet, but this personnel configuration is under active discussion,” Glagola said.
Context of personnel changes in the government
The information about the possible new appointment comes amid a broader personnel reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In his video address on January 2, he said that he hadproposed that Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov take over the Ministry of Defense.
At the same time, the head of state emphasized that Denys Shmyhal “remains in the team” and will receive a new area of work, which the president described as “no less important for the country’s stability.” At the time, Zelenskyy did not specify the name of the department.
Further reshuffles in the government
On the same day, the president announced other possible personnel decisions. In particular, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate , Kyrylo Budanov, received an offer to head the Presidential Office. Later, Zelenskyi named Budanov’s likely successor in the GUR – it could be the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko.
Thus, the possible appointment of Denys Shmyhal as Minister of Energy is seen as part of a large-scale rotation in the state leadership. It has not yet been officially announced whether and when the final decision will be made.
