Zelenskyy shakes up Ukrainian Cabinet, appoints new prime minister to reinvigorate war effort

KYIV: Ukraine’s economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US, Yuliia Svyrydenko, was appointed as its new prime minister on Thursday, becoming the country’s first new head of government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.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 shuffle top government positions, including the 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 Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.

Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new 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 productio