Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed appointing Finance Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s new Prime Minister.
As Ukraine continues its war with Russia—now in its fourth consecutive year—President Zelensky is steering the war-torn Eastern European country toward a major political reshuffle.
This information was reported on Monday (July 14) in separate reports by news agencies AFP and Deutsche Welle.
President Zelensky confirmed on social media platform X that he has nominated Yulia Svyrydenko to lead the Ukrainian government. He stated, “I have proposed Yulia Svyrydenko as Ukraine’s new Prime Minister and expect significant reforms in government operations. I want to see the new government’s action plan very soon.”
Svyrydenko currently serves as Ukraine’s Finance Minister. Earlier this year, she played a crucial role in negotiating a significant mineral resource agreement with the United States. Although the deal initially collapsed following a widely broadcasted debate between Ukrainian and U.S. leaders in February, Svyrydenko later traveled to the U.S. herself and successfully finalized the agreement.
Zelensky has recently indicated his intent to make changes in his cabinet, especially as Ukraine seeks to be more unified and efficient in the fourth year of its war against Russia.
Last week in Rome, Zelensky said he was considering replacing Ukraine’s current ambassador to the United States with someone who could take on a more assertive role in “defense cooperation.” He even hinted that the current Defense Minister might be appointed as the new ambassador.
Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, was born in Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region, where she began her public service career. She quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Deputy Head of the Presidential Office. In 2021, she was appointed as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
If Ukraine’s parliament approves her nomination, she will replace current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who has held the post since 2020.
If confirmed, Yulia Svyrydenko will become the second female Prime Minister in Ukraine’s history. The first was Yulia Tymoshenko, who assumed the role following the 2004 Orange Revolution.
