Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko resigns amid Zelensky cabinet reshuffle
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday the dismissal of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after a year in office, saying a renewal of the cabinet and law‑enforcement bodies was needed to bring new ideas and strengthen the war effort. Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk confirmed that Svyrydenko’s resignation has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada and will be examined according to the usual procedure, with a vote on a new government expected to begin as early as Tuesday.
Potential successors mentioned by lawmakers include Naftogaz head Serhiy Koretskyi, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal (a former defence minister), and current Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Zelensky also offered Svyrydenko a role overseeing “a new important direction in relations with a key partner.”
The reshuffle is linked to a corruption investigation involving Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, which has accelerated the government overhaul. Critics warn that removing the defence minister could destabilise ongoing army reforms, while opposition lawmakers expressed concern that frequent changes might create political turbulence during a critical phase of the conflict with Russia.