Zelensky makes a new appointment for prime minister
Yulia Svyrydenko, an economist from Chernihiv, has been officially confirmed as Ukraine's new Prime Minister by the Ukrainian parliament on July 17, 2025. With 262 votes in favour, Svyrydenko becomes the second female Prime Minister in Ukraine's history, following Yulia Tymoshenko.
Svyrydenko's political career began in regional administration, where she rose quickly to become Deputy Head and Governor of Chernihiv. In 2020, she joined the national government as Deputy Economy Minister and later became the Minister of Economy and First Deputy Prime Minister before her appointment as Prime Minister.
Known for her central role in Ukraine’s wartime economic strategy, Svyrydenko led negotiations and signed a landmark deal with the United States on rare earth minerals, establishing a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund to manage revenue from critical minerals, oil, and gas. This agreement was viewed as mutually beneficial and a strong sign of ongoing U.S. commitment to Ukraine's long-term peace and economic stability.
Svyrydenko's premiership comes during a sweeping government reshuffle, reflecting the wartime political reality of centralized executive power around President Volodymyr Zelensky. Svyrydenko is considered a close ally of Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, indicating that while the leadership is new in name, the power structure remains concentrated in the president's circle amid martial law.
In her new role, Svyrydenko's key priorities include leading Ukraine’s wartime economic strategy, strengthening ties with the United States, and securing international support and investment. She will also be supporting domestic weapons production and managing government operations under the conditions of martial law with a governance style aligned closely with President Zelensky’s office.
Meanwhile, Denys Shmyhal, the outgoing prime minister, will replace Rustem Umerov as defense minister. Shmyhal resigned as prime minister on Tuesday, making him the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history, serving since March 2020.
U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed a plan for European allies to buy billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment, including air-defense systems, that can be transferred to Ukraine. The priorities for the new government, as stated by Svyrydenko, include reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of defense forces.
Ties between Ukraine and the U.S. have been uneasy since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. However, Svyrydenko's appointment and Trump's endorsement of military aid suggest a renewed focus on strengthening the relationship between the two nations.
Volodomyr Zelensky appointed Olga Stefanishyna as the minister for European integration before her nomination as ambassador to the United States. Stefanishyna was also appointed as the special representative for the development of cooperation with the United States by Zelensky.
In a speech to Ukraine's parliament on July 17, Zelensky expressed a desire for peace. The new government, led by Svyrydenko, will aim to steer Ukraine’s economy through the ongoing crisis, secure crucial international partnerships, and maintain unity within Ukraine’s wartime leadership structure, all with the ultimate goal of achieving peace.
Svyrydenko's new role as Prime Minister may significantly impact Ukraine's involvement in war-and-conflicts, given her central role in Ukraine’s wartime economic strategy. This could potentially reshape the politics surrounding the ongoing conflicts and general news.
The appointment of Denys Shmyhal as defense minister, following his resignation as prime minister, signals a focus on increasing the army's weapons supply, expanding domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of defense forces under the new leadership, furthering the political discussions on war-and-conflicts.
