Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a new prime minister, marking the first such leadership change since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the Eastern European nation over three years ago.
On Thursday, it was announced on social media that the parliament had approved Yuliia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister with a comfortable majority vote.
Last month, 39-year-old Svyrydenko engaged in negotiations with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, finalizing what was described as a and investment framework.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy had indicated his proposal for Svyrydenko to lead the government, noting his intention to initiate “a transformation of the executive branch in Ukraine.” Svyrydenko previously served as economy minister and one of Ukraine’s deputy prime ministers since November 2021. Zelenskyy also shared a photo of them together, stating they had discussed “concrete measures to boost Ukraine’s economic potential, expand support programs for Ukrainians, and scale up our domestic weapons production.”
This appointment represents the most significant governmental reorganization in Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022. Opposition lawmakers view this move as an attempt by Zelenskyy to strengthen his grip on power. Ukraine has been operating under martial law since the day following the invasion.
“They will be told by the president’s office what they should really do,” remarked Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the Holos party, suggesting that the new administration would be beholden to Zelenskyy, who possesses considerable wartime authority under the constitution.
Svyrydenko will succeed Denys Shmyhal, the outgoing Prime Minister, who has held the position for over five years since his appointment on March 4, 2020, making him Ukraine’s longest-serving head of government.
According to the parliament’s website, Shmyhal, who met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellog this week after President Donald Trump authorized the sale of additional Patriot systems, will assume a new role as Ukraine’s defense minister.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended her congratulations to both Svyrydenko and Shmyhal on their new roles.
To Svyrydenko, she wrote, “We stand fully behind you as you fight for Ukraine’s survival and work for your country’s recovery and EU future.” For Shmyhal, she conveyed, “Best wishes for your key new role as Defence Minister.”
The defense ministry manages one of the largest budgets and holds critical importance due to the ongoing war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, whose term, despite efforts to implement reforms, was characterized by internal instability and persistent inefficiencies within Ukraine’s defense procurement system. Despite his active engagement on the international stage, critics contended that the ministry continued to suffer from mismanagement.
On Tuesday, a photo from his meeting with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was released.
“We are preparing the initial steps of the renewed Government,” Zelenskyy wrote, outlining the primary objectives for the next six months as “increasing domestic weapons production in Ukraine, fully contracting the required volumes of all types of drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces, carrying out substantial deregulation and unlocking our country’s internal economic potential, and ensuring full implementation of social support programs for our people.”
“We defined the results that can be achieved within the first half-year of the new Government’s work,” Zelenskyy further added.
Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with focusing on defense cooperation, economic recovery and reconstruction.
Lawmakers and other officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office, as reported by the Associated Press.
Reuters, citing posts from several lawmakers, including Yaroslav Zheleznyak who shared a photo of the electronic voting table, reported that 262 out of the 450 parliamentary members voted in favor of Svyrydenko becoming prime minister. The displayed vote tally indicated that 22 lawmakers voted against Svyrydenko and 26 abstained. Reuters noted that the Ukrainian parliament does not broadcast its sessions during wartime.