Latest news with #KYIV
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Zelenskyy appoints a new prime minister for a war-weary nation
KYIV, Ukraine — Fresh off securing a plan to receive more U.S. weaponry, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a new prime minister -- the key negotiator of his country's deal with the U.S. to partner on the development of rare earth minerals. By naming Yulia Svyrydenko, the former economy minister, to become the country's first new head of government since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelenskyy on Thursday elevated a loyal politician who has experience in diplomacy with the U.S. and other Western nations. In addition to negotiating the U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement, the 39-year-old Svyrydenko has represented Ukraine in a wide range of high-level talks with Western partners, including on issues of defense and economic recovery and reconstruction. In 2022, she negotiated with other countries to impose sanctions on Russia. The outgoing prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, will become defense minister at a time when Ukraine is looking to ramp up domestic weapons production, and as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to bring an end to the war. 'War leaves no room for delay,' Svyrydenko said on X after the parliament voted to approved her promotion. 'We must act swiftly and decisively. Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defense forces.' Svyrydenko and Shmyhal are among a wider group of officials taking on new leadership roles as Zelenskyy aims to reenergize a war-weary nation. But to Ukrainians, the reshuffling of the Cabinet is not seen as a major shift in direction for Zelenskyy, who will still be mostly relying on the same experienced officials, as opposed to introducing new faces to his leadership team. Earlier this week, Trump endorsed a plan to have European allies buy billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment -- including air-defense systems -- that can be transferred to Ukraine, which has come under intense Russian attacks. 'We all want peace as soon as possible,' Zelenskyy said Thursday in a speech to Ukraine's parliament. 'At the same time, we all see how difficult it is to maintain sufficient global support, and how many other wars and crises are flaring up around the world, truly scattering global efforts. Therefore, Ukraine needs more of its own strength.' In announcing the weapons plan on Monday, Trump also made an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, promising to impose stiff tariffs on countries that purchase its oil if he doesn't agree to a ceasefire within 50 days. Shmyhal, who announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday, was the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history, serving since March 2020. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov as defense minster. Although Umerov sought to push reforms, critics said the ministry under his command was plagued by mismanagement. Also on Thursday, Zelenskyy nominated Olga Stefanishyna to become Ukraine's next ambassador to the United States. In the meantime, he appointed Stefanishyna, previously the minister for European integration, as the special representative for the development of cooperation with the United States. Ties between Ukraine and the U.S. have been uneasy since Trump returned to the White House in January, and Zelenskyy had previously said he intended to replace Oksana Markarova as Ukrainian ambassador in the U.S. Hanna Arhirova, The Associated Press
Reuters
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Ukraine appoints new government in biggest wartime overhaul
KYIV, July 17 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament appointed the country's first new prime minister in five years on Thursday, part of a major cabinet overhaul aimed at revitalising wartime management as prospects for peace with Russia grow dim. Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, has been tasked by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with boosting domestic weapons production and reviving Ukraine's loan-dependent economy. In a speech to parliament, Zelenskiy said he expected his new government to increase the share of domestic weapons on Ukraine's battlefield to 50% from 40% within six months. He also singled out deregulation and expanding economic co-operation with allies as other key aims of the biggest government reshuffle since Russia's February 2022 invasion. Svyrydenko, an experienced technocrat who had served as first deputy prime minister since 2021, pledged to move "swiftly and decisively". "War leaves no room for delay," she wrote on X. "Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defense forces." Svyrydenko is also well known to the Trump administration, having negotiated a deal giving the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine's mineral wealth. It was considered crucial to bolstering relations between Kyiv and Washington. Addressing lawmakers on Thursday, Zelenskiy said further deals with the U.S. would be forthcoming but did not offer any specific details. Parliament also appointed former prime minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's longest-serving head of government, as defence minister and Svitlana Hrynchuk as energy minister. Former Svyrydenko deputies Oleksiy Sobolev and Taras Kachka will serve as minister of economy, environment and agriculture and deputy prime minister for European integration, respectively. "This team is time-tested," Shmyhal wrote on Thursday. "Ahead are new tasks, challenges and a high level of responsibility." Svyrydenko takes over the government as Russian forces press a grinding offensive across the sprawling, more than 1,000-km (621 mile) front line and intensify air strikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is betting on a budding defence industry, fuelled in part by foreign investment, to fend off Russia's bigger and better-armed war machine. With state revenues going to defence, Kyiv will also need to find money to finance its ballooning budget deficit as foreign aid diminishes. Officials have said they could face a shortfall of about $19 billion next year. Svyrydenko said her government would launch a full audit of public finances to achieve "real savings", as well as accelerate large-scale privatisations and help entrepreneurs. Some opposition lawmakers voiced scepticism about the new government's ability to remain independent of Zelenskiy's administration, which wields significant wartime powers under Ukraine's constitution. "They will be told by the president's office what they should really do," wrote Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the Holos party.
Reuters
14 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Who are the key ministers in Ukraine's new government?
KYIV, July 17 (Reuters) - Parliament approved Yulia Svyrydenko as Ukraine's new prime minister on Thursday and backed her plan to cut the number of ministries, merging some of the main portfolios, to save funds in wartime. With the new government, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is trying to wrestle wartime defence spending into shape and win over both U.S. President Donald Trump and a war-weary public with fresh-faced leadership. Here are some key members of the new government, in which Andrii Sybiha remains foreign minister and Serhii Marchenko stays on as finance minister. Svyrydenko, 39, an economist by education, has worked in the government since 2019, rising through the ranks after being a deputy minister to become economy minister and first deputy prime minister. She is tasked with unlocking Ukraine's economic potential during the war raging since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and increasing domestic weapon production as much as possible. Svyrydenko played an important role in recent negotiations on an agreement with the United States giving the U.S. preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and funding investment in Ukraine's reconstruction. Fedorov, 34, was first appointed a deputy prime minister in 2019. In 2023, his remit grew to include innovation, science and technology, in addition to digital affairs. He played a prominent role in driving development of military technology through a government-backed platform to nurture private-sector innovation. Shmyhal, 49, became Ukraine's longest-serving prime minister after being appointed to the role in 2020 and held the role throughout the war until this week's government overhaul. Parliament has passed a decision to merge the defence ministry and the ministry for strategic industries. Shmyhal will oversee the defence sector, domestic weapon production and international cooperation in weapons and defence. Shmyhal will also be in charge of the bulk of state spending. Ukraine spends about 36% of gross domestic product on its defence efforts. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said the defence minister will have more resources at his disposal than other ministers but also greater responsibility. Kachka, 45, has previously served as Ukraine's trade representative and deputy economy minister, with responsibility for state foreign economic policy and export strategy. He was also involved in negotiations with the U.S. on the minerals deal and with European Union officials on agricultural trade. Sobolev, 42, will head the new giant ministry for economy, environment and agriculture. Ukraine previously had three separate ministries to cover these portfolios. Prior to this appointment, he served as first deputy economy minister responsible for state investment policy, managing state property policy and economic development. Ukraine is a top global producer and exporter of grains and other agricultural products. Agribusiness is a driving force for the war-ravaged economy and the new minister will look at prospects for opening new markets and try to unlock other economic opportunities to help Ukraine's recovery. Hrynchuk, 39, was appointed ecology minister in a government reshuffle in September 2024. Prior to that, she was a deputy energy minister for a year. She also had various other government positions focusing on the energy sector and climate change issues.
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Ukrainian parliament approves new government, lawmaker says
KYIV: Ukraine's parliament voted in favor of a new government under prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Thursday, according to lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak. The new cabinet includes two of Svyrydenko's former deputies — Oleksiy Sobolev as minister of economy, agriculture and environment, and Taras Kachka as a deputy prime minister for European integration — as well as Svitlana Hrynchuk as energy minister.
Reuters
15 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Ukraine appoints new prime minister in biggest wartime overhaul
KYIV, July 17 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament appointed the country's first new prime minister in five years on Thursday, part of a major cabinet overhaul aimed at revitalising wartime management as prospects for peace with Russia grow dim. Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, has been tasked by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with boosting domestic weapons production and reviving Ukraine's loan-dependent economy. In a speech to parliament, Zelenskiy said he expected his new government to increase the share of domestic weapons on Ukraine's battlefield to 50% from 40% within six months. He also singled out deregulation and expanding economic co-operation with allies as other key aims of the biggest government reshuffle since Russia's February 2022 invasion. Svyrydenko, an experienced technocrat who had served as first deputy prime minister since 2021, pledged to move "swiftly and decisively". "War leaves no room for delay," she wrote on X. "Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defense forces." Svyrydenko is also well known to the Trump administration, having negotiated a deal giving the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine's mineral wealth. It was considered crucial to bolstering relations between Kyiv and Washington. Addressing lawmakers on Thursday, Zelenskiy said further deals with the U.S. would be forthcoming but did not offer any specific details. Parliament is also expected to appoint the outgoing prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, as defence minister after his nomination by Zelenskiy earlier this week. Svyrydenko takes over the government as Russian forces press a grinding offensive across the sprawling, more than 1,000-km (621 mile) front line and intensify air strikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is betting on a budding defence industry, fuelled in part by foreign investment, to fend off Russia's bigger and better-armed war machine. With state revenues going to defence, Kyiv will also need to find money to finance its ballooning budget deficit as foreign aid diminishes. Officials have said they could face a shortfall of about $19 billion next year. Svyrydenko said her government would launch a full audit of public finances to achieve "real savings", as well as accelerate large-scale privatisations and help entrepreneurs. She received 262 votes, a comfortable majority in the 450-seat parliament, according to several lawmakers reporting from inside the chamber. Ukraine's parliament does not broadcast its sessions in wartime. The ministries of the economy, justice, energy and European integration will also receive new leaders. However, few are political outsiders. Some opposition lawmakers voiced scepticism about the new government's ability to remain independent of Zelenskiy's administration, which wields significant wartime powers under Ukraine's constitution. "They will be told by the president's office what they should really do," wrote Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the Holos party.
