Ukraine: Shmyhal to defense, Svyrydenko new PM
Ukraine's Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, is poised to take over as Defense Minister, following a proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The announcement came on Monday evening, July 14, via the Ukrainian leader's Telegram channel.
"Denys Shmyhal's vast experience will undoubtedly be useful at the helm of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense – this area now concentrates the country's largest resources, most tasks, and a high level of responsibility," Zelenskyy commented on the planned government reshuffle.
He expressed hope that the Verkhovna Rada would support the "new configuration of Ukraine's government." Zelenskyy added that the executive branch must quickly "audit all agreements" with Kyiv's partners to determine "what works, what needs to be revised or reactivated."
Currently, Rustem Umerov leads Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, while Denys Shmyhal serves as the country's Prime Minister.
On July 10, during a press conference, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Umerov could be appointed Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, as reported by dw.com.
On Monday, July 14, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed that Yulia Svyrydenko take charge of the Ukrainian Government and reform its activities. The statement was made in a post on the Ukrainian President's Facebook page.
Yulia Svyrydenko currently holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, having been appointed to these roles on November 4, 2021.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
