What is Yulia Svyrydenko, the recently appointed Ukrainian Prime Minister, all about?
In a significant shift for Ukraine's government, Yulia Svyrydenko, a 39-year-old economist and politician, has been appointed as the country's Prime Minister. The announcement was made on July 17, 2025, following a vote of 262 in the Verkhovna Rada, making Svyrydenko only the second woman in Ukrainian history to hold this post, after Yulia Tymoshenko, and the first in 15 years.
Born on December 25, 1985, in Chernihiv, Svyrydenko's political career began in regional government. She became Deputy Head of the Chernihiv Regional Administration at the age of 32 and served as Governor of the region at 33. In 2020, she moved to the national stage as Deputy Economy Minister, and was promoted to the Cabinet just before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Svyrydenko's rapid ascent in government reflects both her capabilities and Ukraine’s acute need for experienced technocrats during the ongoing war. Her background in economics has been instrumental in her role as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, where she played a central role in Ukraine’s wartime economic strategy and recovery.
One of Svyrydenko's most significant international achievements has been her leadership in negotiating a landmark agreement with the United States on critical minerals and natural resources. As First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, she led Ukraine’s delegation to Washington and personally signed the agreement with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on April 30, 2025. This deal established a joint Ukraine–US Reconstruction Investment Fund to oversee revenue from Ukraine’s critical minerals, rare earth elements, oil, and gas.
The negotiations were not without controversy—the deal temporarily strained relations between Kyiv and Washington—but ultimately signalled deepened U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s long-term stability. Svyrydenko's prominent role in these talks has made her a recognised figure in Washington and positioned her as a key architect of Ukraine’s economic diplomacy during the war.
Svyrydenko's appointment comes amid a sweeping government reshuffle initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the previous Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, moving to lead the Defense Ministry. Her elevation is seen as reinforcing Ukraine’s highly centralized wartime governance, where executive power is concentrated in the Presidential Office, and the Cabinet’s role is largely administrative rather than decisional. Critics note that, despite her high-profile position, real decision-making remains within Zelenskyy’s inner circle.
Svyrydenko represents a new generation of Ukrainian leaders emerging from the crucible of war, combining economic expertise with direct experience in international negotiations critical to her nation’s future. Both of her parents worked in public service, influencing her interest in public service since childhood. Svyrydenko quickly climbed the ranks of public administration after a stint in the private sector.
Svyrydenko will assume leadership of the Government at a crucial moment for Ukraine, during a time of heavy dependence on Western allies for survival and after three years of war. She held various local-level positions in the Chernigiv region before joining the presidential administration in 2020. Svyrydenko was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy less than a year after joining the presidential administration.
Svyrydenko is discreet but confident and ambitious in public appearances. She managed to prevent the negotiations from failing and assumed the role of Minister of Economy just a few months before the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Then-US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo described Svyrydenko as "symbolic of the resilience of the Ukrainian people" in 2023. Svyrydenko was the key figure and the only one leading these negotiations. The agreement she helped negotiate was at the center of a dispute in the White House between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Mylovanov, currently director of the Kyiv School of Economics, described Svyrydenko as a "very effective" person. Svyrydenko's appointment as Prime Minister has been confirmed by parliament, marking a significant reshuffle in Ukraine's government. Svyrydenko went to Washington to conclude the agreement, which was seen in Ukraine as a way to appease the US President and ensure continued US support.
References: [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57670126 [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-svyrydenko-confirmed-prime-minister-amid-reshuffle-2025-07-17/ [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/world/europe/ukraine-us-agreement.html [4] https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-us-critical-minerals-agreement-explained/31676238.html
- The appointment of Yulia Svyrydenko as Prime Minister signals a shift in Ukraine's policy and legislation, as she is a key architect of Ukraine's economic diplomacy during the ongoing war and war-and-conflicts.
- In the realm of general-news, Svyrydenko's leadership in negotiating a landmark agreement with the United States on critical minerals and natural resources highlights her role in politics and the broader implications for Ukraine's future.
