Latest news with #Yuliia Svyrydenko
Fox News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Ukraine's Zelenskyy names new prime minister for first time since Russia's war began
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named a new prime minister for the first time since Russia invaded the eastern European nation more than three years ago. Ukrainian lawmakers announced on social media Thursday that parliament had voted by a comfortable majority in favor of Yuliia Svyrydenko becoming the country's new prime minister. Svyrydenko, 39, last month negotiated a major U.S.–Ukraine minerals and investment framework with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Zelenskyy said earlier this week that he proposed that Svyrydenko, who previously served as economy minister and one of Ukraine's deputy prime ministers since November 2021, lead the government as he initiated "a transformation of the executive branch in Ukraine." He shared a photo of them together and said they discussed "concrete measures to boost Ukraine's economic potential, expand support programs for Ukrainians, and scale up our domestic weapons production." It's the most significant Ukrainian government restructuring since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022, and is viewed by opposition lawmakers as a way for Zelenskyy to consolidate power. Ukraine has been under martial law since the day after the invasion. "They will be told by the president's office what they should really do," Yaroslav Zheleznyak, of the Holos party, told Reuters, arguing the new government would be indebted to Zelenskyy, who has significant wartime powers under the constitution. Svyrydenko will replace outgoing Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed on March 4, 2020. Shmyhal, who met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellog this week after President Donald Trump approved the sale of more Patriot systems, will take on a new role as Ukraine's defense minister, according to the parliament's website. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, congratulated Svyrydenko and Shmyhal on their new roles. "We stand fully behind you as you fight for Ukraine's survival and work for your country's recovery and EU future," she wrote to Svyrydenko. For Shmyhal, she said, "Best wishes for your key new role as Defence Minister." The defense 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 defense procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy posted a photo from his meeting with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. "We are preparing the initial steps of the renewed Government," Zelenskyy wrote, identifying the key priorities over the next six months as "increasing domestic weapons production in Ukraine, fully contracting the required volumes of all types of drones for Ukraine's Defense Forces, carrying out substantial deregulation and unlocking our country's internal economic potential, and ensuring full implementation of social support programs for our people." "We defined the results that can be achieved within the first half-year of the new Government's work," Zelenskyy added. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defense cooperation, economic recovery and reconstruction. Lawmakers and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office, according to the Associated Press. Of the 450-seat parliament, 262 lawmakers voted in favor of Svyrydenko becoming prime minister, Reuters reported, citing posts from a handful of lawmakers, including Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who posted a photo of the electronic voting table. The table showed 22 lawmakers voted against Svyrydenko and 26 abstained. The Ukrainian parliament does not broadcast sessions during wartime, according to Reuters.
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Zelenskyy shakes up Ukrainian Cabinet to reinvigorate war effort
A slate of fresh-faced officials is poised to take on top roles in Ukraine's government, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reshuffles the Cabinet in a bid to energize 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. Zelenskyy submitted nominations on Thursday to reshuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Draft resolutions were registered in parliament proposing Yuliia Svyrydenko, currently the first deputy prime minister and minister of economy, as the new prime minister, and Shmyhal as defense minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the Cabinet, but Svyrydenko's nomination as prime minister is taking center stage. She played a key role in negotiating a U.S.–Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defense cooperation, economic recovery and reconstruction. Lawmakers and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy 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 defense forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed on March 4, 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskyy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defense minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defense 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 defense procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.
France 24
14-07-2025
- Business
- France 24
Ukraine's Zelensky seeks shakeup with new prime minister
The announcement is likely to herald a broad government reshuffle, more than three years after Russia launched its invasion that has cost tens of thousands of lives. "I have proposed that Yuliia Svyrydenko lead the government of Ukraine and significantly renew its work," Zelensky wrote on social media, posting a picture of the two. "I look forward to the presentation of the new government's action plan in the near future," Zelensky added. Svyrydenko, 39, gained prominence this year during fraught negotiations around a rare minerals deal with the United States that nearly derailed ties between Kyiv and its most important military ally. Shortly after Zelensky's announcement, she said Ukraine faced a "crucial time" and listed her priorities as "strengthening" Ukraine's economy, expanding domestic support programmes and scaling up weapons production. Ukraine's economy has been decimated by the Russian invasion, and Kyiv is reliant on tens of billions of dollars in annual support from Western countries to stay afloat. If the change is approved, Svyrydenko would replace Denys Shmygal, who became prime minister in 2020, before the war. "The government needs a change because people are exhausted," said Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former economy minister who worked with Svyrydenko. Mylovanov, who now heads the Kyiv School of Economics, said the changes would likely bring "a sort of freshness" after three and a half years of war. Zelensky said last week he is also considering naming Defence Minister Rustem Umerov as Ukraine's ambassador to Washington. Zelensky met with Umerov over the weekend, after which he said that "Ukraine needs more positive dynamics in relations with the United States and at the same time new steps in managing the defense sector of our state." Svyrydenko, who is also a deputy prime minister, was appointed to manage Ukraine's struggling economy months before the Kremlin launched its full-scale assault in February 2022. Her appointment as prime minister will require approval by parliament, which has largely united around Zelensky since the invasion and is unlikely to vote against him.
