Latest news with #political reshuffle

South China Morning Post

Zelensky names new prime minister, taps official who spearheaded US minerals deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Monday to lead a new government, setting the stage for a political reshuffle as Ukraine's war with Russia raged on. Zelensky also proposed that Ukraine's current prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, take over as defence minister, describing him as holding the right qualifications for a very important job. The nominations, which require parliamentary approval, came as diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fourth year, have stalled and as Ukraine seeks to revive its cash-strapped economy and build up a domestic arms industry. 'We … discussed concrete measures to boost Ukraine's economic potential, expand support programmes for Ukrainians, and scale up our domestic weapons production,' Zelensky wrote on social media. 'In pursuit of this goal, we are initiating a transformation of the executive branch in Ukraine ,' he said, adding that he had proposed that Svyrydenko lead the government and 'significantly renew its work'. Svyrydenko, 39, is an economist and has served as first deputy prime minister since 2021. She played a key role in recent negotiations for a minerals deal with the United States In his nightly video address, Zelensky praised Shmyhal's 'vast experience' as very 'valuable in the position of minister of defence of Ukraine'.