Government resignation and new structure: the defense sector will gain expanded powers

The Verkhovna Rada voted to dismiss the current government, and Yulia Svyrydenko may be elected as the new Prime Minister. The primary focus of these changes is on strengthening the country’s defense sector.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted a decision to dismiss the current Cabinet of Ministers. As reported by the head of the “Servant of the People” faction, David Arakhamia, the faction meeting was held with the participation of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, and First Vice Speaker Oleksandr Kornienko.

The President thanked the members of the government for their efforts in the face of war and the significant challenges they faced. In connection with the new stage of the struggle for independence and the need to strengthen domestic and international positions, a decision was made to renew the composition of the government.

The candidacy of Yulia Svyrydenko for the position of Prime Minister was supported by the “Servant of the People” faction, noting her professional qualities and experience.

Candidates for key positions in the new government were also presented, including:

Mykhailo Fedorov – First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Transformation
Oleksiy Kuleba – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure Development
Taras Kachka – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration
Denys Shmyhal – Minister of Defense
Andriy Sybiga – Minister of Foreign Affairs
Herman Galushchenko – Minister of Justice
Svetlana Hrynchuk – Minister of Energy
Matviy Bidny – Minister of Youth and Sports
Nataliya Kalmykova – Minister of Veterans Affairs
Ihor Klymenko – Minister of Internal Affairs
Oksen Lisovyi – Minister of Education
Viktor Lyashko – Minister of Health
Serhiy Marchenko – Minister of Finance
Oleksiy Sobolev – Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture
Denys Ulyutin – Minister of Social Policy
Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed that the Ministry of Defense is receiving expanded functions in the production of weapons. It is planned to conduct an audit of international agreements, activate national production, and reach 50% of Ukrainian weapons at the front within six months.

Herman Smetanin will head Ukroboronprom. The President emphasized that the new government team should focus on defense, industry, and practical cooperation with international partners.

It was also announced that Olena Ivanovska, a professor at the Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Doctor of Philology, has been appointed as the new language ombudsman.