Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday carried out the biggest reshuffle in his government since the war with Russia began, as he announced new prime minister and defence minister for his country.
Zelenskyy appointed Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the successor to Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, who will now lead the defence ministry.
Video
"I have proposed that Yulia Svyrydenko lead the government of Ukraine and significantly renew its work. I look forward to the presentation of the new government's action plan in the near future," the Ukrainian leader wrote on social media.
In an address later in the day, he announced that Shmygal will be the defence minister.
"Denys Shmygal's vast experience will certainly be useful in the position of Minister of Defence of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said, without providing further detail.
Svyrydenko, 39, gained prominence this year for helping broker a minerals deal with the United States, while Shmygal, 49, had served as prime minister since 2020, steering the Ukrainian government through the Covid-19 pandemic and the start of the Russia war in February 2022.
Shortly after she was announced as the new prime minister, Svyrydenko noted that Ukraine faces a "crucial time" and listed her priorities as "strengthening" the war-hit nation's economy, expanding domestic support programmes, and scaling up weapons production.
Meanwhile, Rustem Umerov, the outgoing defence minister, is expected to be Kyiv's ambassador to Washington D.C.
The appointments come at a pivotal moment in the three-year conflict.
Direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine on ending the fighting have stalled, while the United States announced earlier that it would boost military support for Kyiv in a major reversal by Donald Trump of his predecessor Joe Biden's policy.
Zelenskyy appointed Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the successor to Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, who will now lead the defence ministry.
Video
"I have proposed that Yulia Svyrydenko lead the government of Ukraine and significantly renew its work. I look forward to the presentation of the new government's action plan in the near future," the Ukrainian leader wrote on social media.
In an address later in the day, he announced that Shmygal will be the defence minister.
"Denys Shmygal's vast experience will certainly be useful in the position of Minister of Defence of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said, without providing further detail.
Svyrydenko, 39, gained prominence this year for helping broker a minerals deal with the United States, while Shmygal, 49, had served as prime minister since 2020, steering the Ukrainian government through the Covid-19 pandemic and the start of the Russia war in February 2022.
Shortly after she was announced as the new prime minister, Svyrydenko noted that Ukraine faces a "crucial time" and listed her priorities as "strengthening" the war-hit nation's economy, expanding domestic support programmes, and scaling up weapons production.
Meanwhile, Rustem Umerov, the outgoing defence minister, is expected to be Kyiv's ambassador to Washington D.C.
The appointments come at a pivotal moment in the three-year conflict.
Direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine on ending the fighting have stalled, while the United States announced earlier that it would boost military support for Kyiv in a major reversal by Donald Trump of his predecessor Joe Biden's policy.
You may also like
Liverpool FC parade suspect Paul Doyle appears in court
Why Gregg Wallace and John Torode's salaries are missing from BBC
Maha govt to set up committee for implementation of leprosy eradication
John McEnroe's jobs away from BBC and Wimbledon, voice of Netflix show and huge net worth
12 lavish rooms, mandir, cricket-themed area & more: What's inside Virender Sehwag's Rs 130 cr mansion in Delhi's Hauz Khas
