Ukraine shakes up cabinet to reinvigorate war effort
Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion.
At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year.
Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history.
Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website.
Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage.
She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv.
Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction.
MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office.
On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs.
Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday.
He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020.
Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy.
Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team.
His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role.
The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war.
Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system.
Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.
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