This is the largest government reform since Russia launched a comprehensive military campaign in early 2022.
It is time to renew the government, Zelensky wrote on social media. I nominate Ms. Yulia Svyrydenko to lead the Ukrainian cabinet and start a new cycle of activities with a specific action plan in the coming time.
The Ukrainian president stressed that this is part of the strategy of "transforming the executive apparatus", in the context of the country facing many economic and defense pressures and needing a new vitality to maintain resilience in the conflict that has lasted for more than 3 years.
Ms. Svyrydenko (39 years old), currently Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, has stood out in her hard-fought negotiations with the US regarding the rare earth mineral deal - an issue that almost created a rift in bilateral relations.
President Zelensky said he and Ms. Svyrydenko discussed specific measures to increase economic potential, expand support programs for people and boost domestic arms production.
If approved by the National Assembly, Ms. Svyrydenko will become the first female Prime Minister of Ukraine since Ms. Yulia Tymoshenko's tenure, and will replace Mr. Denys Shmyhal - who has held the position since 2020 and the longest-serving Prime Minister since Ukraine's independence in 1991.
In his evening speech on the same day, President Zelensky said he would nominate Denys Shmyhal as Secretary of Defense, citing: "This is the area that focuses the maximum resources, tasks and national responsibility at the moment."
If approved, Mr. Shmyhal will replace incumbent Minister Rustem Umerov - who could be appointed as Ukrainian Ambassador to Washington in the near future.
Tymofiy Mylovanov, former Ukrainian Economics Minister and now Chairman of the Kiev Economic School, said: After more than 3 years of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, the people are tired. This reform could bring new vitality to the government.
