Parliament of Ukraine approves Prime Minister Shmyhal's departure from office
In a significant move, Yulia Svyrydenko, a 39-year-old economist, has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Ukraine, marking a historical milestone as the second female Prime Minister in Ukrainian history and the first in 15 years since Yulia Tymoshenko held the position.
Svyrydenko's appointment, which took place on July 17, 2025, comes amidst a major government reshuffle aimed at recalibrating Ukraine's economic and defense policies. Her rise to the top post reflects continuity in governance style during wartime, emphasising loyalty and centralised executive control.
Prior to her promotion, Svyrydenko served as Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. She graduated with honours from Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics in 2008, with a focus on antimonopoly management. Svyrydenko's political career took off from regional roles, notably as a trade representative in Ürümqi, China, where she successfully attracted investment to her home region, Chernihiv.
Svyrydenko is considered a close ally of Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, who wields significant influence over Ukraine’s government under martial law during the ongoing Russian invasion. While she officially leads the Cabinet, real decision-making power remains highly centralised around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his inner circle, with Yermak controlling access to the president and agenda-setting.
One of Svyrydenko's notable recent achievements as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy was her key role in negotiating Ukraine’s rare-earth and minerals agreement with the United States, a critical move for Ukraine's economic and strategic interests.
Meanwhile, Denys Shmyhal, who has served as Ukraine's Prime Minister since March 2020, making him the longest serving individual in the role in Ukrainian history, has been dismissed. This decision, supported by 261 lawmakers in the parliament, formally known as the Verkhovna Rada, was part of the government reshuffle. Shmyhal is expected to take over as Ukraine's defense minister from Rustem Umerov, although Umerov could potentially be appointed as Ukrainian ambassador to the US.
The cost of these military supplies, including potential Patriot systems, will be covered by European NATO members. The provision of Patriot systems could potentially be a significant game-changer for Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers was also dissolved amid the government shakeup. The US, a key ally of Ukraine, is providing military support as Ukraine confronts Russia's ongoing invasion, as evidenced by the ongoing military support and the minerals deal. This week, President Zelenskyy announced that the US would be supplying Patriot missile systems and weapons to the Ukrainian military.
This news article is based on factual bullet points and aims to provide a clear, straightforward, and approachable account of the political changes taking place in Ukraine.
- Svyrydenko's appointment as Prime Minister of Ukraine, following a major government reshuffle, indicates a recalibration of both economic and defense policies, highlighting a focus on continuity and centralized control during war-and-conflicts.
- Svyrydenko, with her expertise in economics and trade, played a crucial role in policy-and-legislation, notably negotiating a rare-earth and minerals agreement with the United States, a move significant for Ukraine's economic and strategic interests.
- The media attention on Svyrydenko's rise to Prime Minister, amidst general-news items about the ongoing Russian invasion and the subsequent government changes, underscores the interconnectedness of politics, economy, and war-and-conflicts in Europe.
- The supply of Patriot systems to Ukraine, covered by European NATO members, signals a strong alliance with the US, as Ukraine continues to confront its ongoing invasion and relies on military support from key allies.
