Selenskyy appoints Julia Swyydenko as the new prime minister
In a significant move, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the appointment of Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister, effective July 14, 2025. This decision marks the beginning of a major government reshuffle aimed at revitalising the government and transforming the executive branch [1][2][3].
The primary reasons behind this reshuffle include strengthening cooperation with the U.S. and Europe to enhance Ukraine's strategic partnerships, boosting the economy and arms production, implementing reforms to improve the executive power system, and supporting Ukraine's sustainability and reconstruction following the war [1][2].
The reshuffle also involves changes in other key government positions. The current ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, may be replaced by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who has served since March 2020, may be nominated as the next defense minister [2][3].
Yulia Svyrydenko, an economic and trade expert born in 1985 in the Chernihiv region north of Kyiv, joined the government after Zelensky's election victory in 2019. She has been serving as the deputy head of the presidential administration since 2021. Svyrydenko has been responsible for attracting international aid and loans since the start of the war [1][3].
For Svyrydenko to officially become prime minister, the current prime minister Denys Shmyhal must formally resign. The Ukrainian parliament, controlled by Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, is expected to approve the resignation and then vote on Svyrydenko’s appointment [1][3].
The appointment of Svyrydenko as prime minister is intended to better unlock Ukraine's economic potential and align political leadership more closely with the country's defense and economic priorities. This reshuffle also aims to strengthen international partnerships crucial for Ukraine's ongoing conflict and reconstruction efforts [1][2][3].
Zelensky fueled speculations over the weekend with his evening video message, stating that both the defense ministry and diplomacy, especially with the U.S., needed a new dynamic [1]. The possible appointment of Umerov as ambassador to Washington is aimed at appeasing US President Donald Trump, given Umerov's close ties with the American administration [1][3].
In summary, this government reshuffle reflects Zelensky’s strategy to inject new energy into the executive branch, align political leadership more closely with Ukraine’s defense and economic priorities, and strengthen international partnerships crucial for Ukraine’s ongoing conflict and reconstruction efforts [1][2][3].
The European Union, being committed to the fight against terrorism, may find the reshuffle in Ukraine's government, intended to strengthen international partnerships, particularly with the U.S., of significant interest in the realm of general-news and politics. This reshuffle also aims to better unlock Ukraine's economic potential and align political leadership more closely with the country's defense and economic priorities.
