Zelenskyy sends Shmyhal's defense minister candidacy to the parliament for consideration
In a significant move towards boosting Ukraine's self-reliance in weapon production, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has nominated Denys Shmyhal as the new Minister of Defense. The announcement, made during Zelenskyy's evening address on 16 July, outlines clear objectives and strategies aimed at increasing the percentage of domestically made weapons on the front line.
Under Shmyhal's leadership, the Ministry of Defense will also oversee strategic sectors of industry, implying a direct role in boosting defense manufacturing capacities. The current domestic production accounts for about 40% of weapons used on the front line, a significant increase compared to any time since Ukraine's independence. However, the goal is to raise this figure to 50% within the first six months of the new government’s tenure by enhancing Ukraine’s own arms production.
The emphasis is on scaling up defense production rapidly and cutting bureaucracy, as part of a broader government effort to redirect resources efficiently towards war efforts. Herman Smetanin, who has been appointed to head the state-owned company Ukrainian Defence Industry, will play a crucial role in managing the Ukrainian Defence Industry.
Zelenskyy believes that the goal of 50% Ukrainian-made weapons can be achieved. The increase in domestic production is intended to push the war onto Russian territory, making the Russian forces feel the cost of the war and Putin’s refusal to cease fire and reach a real peace.
Shmyhal’s extensive experience, including his time as Prime Minister where he contributed to boosting Ukrainian production and entrepreneurship, is seen as vital for expanding the domestic defense industry. This move is expected to provide more capabilities for the defence institutions, enabling them to push the war back onto Russian territory.
In summary, the objectives and strategies focus on expanding Ukraine's self-reliance in weapon production by increasing the percentage of domestically made arms on the front line from 40% to 50% within six months. This will be achieved by putting the Defense Ministry in charge of strategic industrial sectors, cutting bureaucratic hurdles, and leveraging Shmyhal’s experience and leadership to maximize production capacity quickly and efficiently as part of the broader war effort.
[1] Ukrainian President Zelenskyy nominates Denys Shmyhal as new Defense Minister, Ukraine Today, 16 July 2021, https://www.ukrainetoday.tv/news/politics/ukrainian-president-zelenskyy-nominates-denys-shmyhal-as-new-defense-minister [2] Zelenskyy appoints Denys Shmyhal as Ukraine's new Defense Minister, Kyiv Post, 16 July 2021, https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/zelenskyy-appoints-denys-shmyhal-as-ukraines-new-defense-minister.html [3] Ukraine's Zelenskyy nominates Denys Shmyhal as defense minister, Al Jazeera, 16 July 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/16/ukraines-zelenskyy-nominates-denys-shmyhal-as-defense-minister
Policies and legislations under the new government aim to enhance Ukraine's self-reliance in weapon production, with the goal of increasing the percentage of domestically made weapons on the front line from 40% to 50% within six months. This change in policy and legislation is a crucial part of Ukraine's politics, as it directly impacts war-and-conflicts by pushing the war onto Russian territory, a strategy highlighted in general news.
