Ukraine's Zelenskyy orders government reshuffle, proposes new PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a significant government reshuffle on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and several law enforcement agency heads. Zelenskyy stated his gratitude for Svyrydenko's "clear, steady, and effective work" and offered her a new leadership position in an important area of relations with a key partner.

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I am grateful to (Svyrydenko) for her clear, steady, and effective work as Prime Minister, for her years of productive service on Ukraine's team, and I have offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner.

"I expect that, together with MPs, we will make the corresponding changes in the Government of Ukraine. There will also be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. He had nominated Svyrydenko for the prime minister role last year.

The president outlined several key tasks for Ukraine, including advancing its European Union membership bid and reinforcing its borders. He indicated that the need to "renew the Cabinet of Ministers" prompted the planned changes, though he did not provide specific reasons for the broader reshuffle. While cabinet changes typically require parliamentary approval, Zelenskyy's party has maintained strong support in the Verkhovna Rada since Russia's invasion, usually ensuring his agenda passes.

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I expect that, together with MPs, we will make the corresponding changes in the Government of Ukraine. There will also be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies.

Zelenskyy also mentioned plans to assign different individuals to manage various aspects of foreign policy. The proposed changes signal a strategic realignment as Ukraine continues to navigate its defense against Russian aggression and pursues its integration with European structures.

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We determined that these changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers.