Monday, 25 May 2026
New Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko - AP PHOTO
Zelenskyy restructures Ukrainian government, appoints new PM to bolster war effort
KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has overhauled Ukraine's Cabinet, naming Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister on Thursday, according to the AP.
Svyrydenko, a principal negotiator of a pivotal mineral agreement with the U.S., becomes the first new head of government since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
This shake-up comes as part of Zelenskyy’s broader effort to inject fresh energy into a nation exhausted by years of conflict and to spur increased domestic weapons production as the war with Russia grinds on.
Domestically, however, the Cabinet changes are viewed less as a radical transformation and more as a reinforcement of Zelenskyy’s strategy to rely on battle-tested, loyal officials who have demonstrated competence throughout the war, now entering its fourth year.
On Thursday, the president submitted his picks for top government positions, replacing long-serving Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal—Ukraine’s longest-serving head of government. Shmyhal will take over the role of defense minister, according to the parliamentary website.
Addressing parliament, Zelenskyy noted that new agreements with the United States are on the horizon—deals he believes will strengthen Ukraine’s position—and emphasized the need for recalibrated diplomatic efforts with Washington.
While further Cabinet changes are anticipated, Svyrydenko’s elevation to prime minister takes center stage. She was instrumental in securing terms favorable to Kyiv during negotiations over the U.S.–Ukraine mineral deal, and she has been a prominent figure in high-level discussions with Western allies, focusing on defense support, economic recovery, and reconstruction.
Colleagues and lawmakers praise Svyrydenko as a dedicated leader known for her unwavering loyalty to the president’s office.