Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to reshuffle his Cabinet on Sunday and asked Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko to step down after just 12 months of service.
In a post on X, Zelensky gave few details about the move, but said Kyiv was “changing its political strategy.”
The decision follows three other reshuffles of top officials during the four-and-a-half-year war with Russia.
What did Zelensky announce?
Zelensky wrote on X that he had discussed the matter with Sviridenko and that he had concluded that “a cabinet reshuffle is necessary.”
“I am grateful to Yulia for her years of productive service in Ukraine’s team, for her clear, steady and effective work as prime minister,” he wrote, thanking the 39-year-old for her commitment.
He said Sviridenko had been given the chance to lead “a new and important area of relations with a major partner,” without giving further details.
Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said Sviridenko, who played a key role in securing the minerals deal with Washington, could be suitable for the role of US ambassador.
Who will replace Sviridenko?
Zelensky has not announced a successor to Sviridenko, but former Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal, now energy minister, could be in line to return after just a year, according to Ukrainian representatives cited by Reuters news agency.
Other possible candidates are Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Serhiy Koretsky, the head of the state energy company, Naftogaz.
Zelensky later published photographs of separate meetings with Shmyal, Fedorov and Koretsky.
He also announced plans to reshuffle the leaders of Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies.
Under Ukrainian law, the resignation of the Prime Minister requires the approval of the Parliament and involves the resignation of the entire government.
Sviridenko ‘ready to serve’ in next role
Sviridenko, a former deputy prime minister and economy minister, said she was “proud to have the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history.”
She wrote on Twitter that she had discussed “next steps” with Zelensky, but did not provide further details.
Sviridenko said, “I am ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, protecting our national interests, and bringing about a just peace.”
Sviridenko recently helped Zelensky deal with Ukraine’s biggest-ever corruption scandal.
The scandal involved a $100 million (€87.3 million) bribery scheme at the state nuclear company Energoatom, where officials and contractors allegedly demanded 10% to 15% kickbacks on procurement contracts.
As a result of an investigation, Justice Minister Herman Hlyushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk stepped down.