Ukraine: Zelenskyy nominates new defense and foreign ministers

Ukrainian government reshuffle Minister of Defense nomination long-range drone attacks military aid surge Ukraine-Belgium defense cooperation

Ukraine is undergoing significant political and military restructuring. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially nominated Yevhen Hmara for Minister of Defense and Andriy Sybiha for Minister of Foreign Affairs. These nominations, which await a vote in the Verkhovna Rada on August 19, follow the controversial dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in July. Fedorov has since criticized the administration for a systemic governance crisis and has called for the establishment of mechanisms to hold democratic elections despite the ongoing Russian invasion.

On the military front, Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces will continue long-range attacks into Russian territory through September, citing the effectiveness of recent operations against Russian economic and military targets. Additionally, Ukraine and Belgium are negotiating a 'Drone Deal' to enhance defense cooperation and protection against Russian strikes.

In terms of logistics and funding, Yurii Pohrybnyi has been appointed commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Logistics Forces. While U.S. military funding ceased in February 2025, military aid to Ukraine saw a surge in June, reaching €7.2 billion, largely driven by new European Union financing through the Ukraine Support Loan.

Entities

Andrii Sibiha · Andriy Sybiha · European Union · Evhen Hmara · Kiel Institute · Mychailo Fedorov · Mykhailo Fedorov · Russia · Ukraine · Verkhovna Rada · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Yevhen Hmara

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] President Zelenskyy nominated Andrii Sîbiha to serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. news.yam.md · wiadomosci.wp.pl · www.index.hr · www.aktuality.sk · 444.hu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ukraine received €7.2 billion in military aid in June, the highest amount since April 2024. www.canadianaffairs.news
[○ 1 SOURCE] United States military funding for Ukraine ceased in February 2025. www.canadianaffairs.news
[● 3 SOURCES] President Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces will continue long-range attacks deep into Russian territory through September. www.news20.ro · hotnews.ro · www.lanacion.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Yurii Pohrybnyi has been appointed as the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Logistics Forces. newsweek.ro
[● 7 SOURCES] President Zelenskyy has officially nominated Evhen Hmara for the position of Minister of Defense. news.yam.md · wiadomosci.wp.pl · www.index.hr · www.aktuality.sk · radiomoldova.md · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Mykhailo Fedorov called for the establishment of conditions to hold elections despite the Russian invasion. www.actualno.com · radiomoldova.md · www.upday.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Fedorov criticized a systemic crisis of governance and corruption within Ukrainian institutions. www.actualno.com
[● 5 SOURCES] A vote for the two ministerial positions is expected in the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday, August 19. zonanews.bg · www.aktuality.sk · 444.hu · wiadomosci.wp.pl · www.index.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi. www.politika.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Dissatisfaction is growing in the Verkhovna Rada following the removal of Mykhailo Fedorov. www.politika.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Volodymyr Zelenskyy nominated Yevhen Khmara for Minister of Defense and Andriy Sybiha for Minister of Foreign Affairs. zonanews.bg