Ukraine's parliament approves new prime minister, government in major reshuffle
The Ukrainian parliament voted on July 17 to confirm Yuliia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister and her government in a major cabinet shake-up.
Svyrydenko, a 39-year-old economist who previously served as the first deputy prime minister and economy minister, was tapped by President Volodymyr Zelensky to replace Denys Shmyhal after his five years in office.
The new prime minister was confirmed with the support of 262 votes, with 22 voting against her and 26 abstaining. The composition of the new government was separately approved with 254 lawmakers voting in support.
"Our government sets its course toward a Ukraine that stands firm on its own foundations — military, economic, and social," Svyrydenko said in a post on social media. "My key goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in daily life."
It is a great honor for me to lead the Government of Ukraine today.
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) July 17, 2025
Our Government sets its course toward a Ukraine that stands firm on its own foundations — military, economic, and social. My key goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in daily life.
War… pic.twitter.com/oytWMCp1S3
Zelensky revealed his nominees for the new government on July 16 after the legislature formally dissolved Shmyhal's cabinet.
The reshuffle takes place as Ukraine continues to resist Russia's full-scale invasion while seeking to navigate a transforming relationship with its key international supporter, the United States.
Shmyhal was confirmed as defense minister on the same day, with 267 lawmakers voting in favor. He replaces Rustem Umerov, who may be tapped to lead the country's National Security and Defense Council, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
In his address to parliament, Shmyhal pledged to ensure Ukrainian forces are fully equipped and to strengthen international cooperation. He also promised to audit all existing defense agreements with foreign partners.
Speaking to the parliament ahead of the vote, Zelensky thanked Shmyhal for his service and noted that a new approach to diplomatic relations with Washington is needed in light of upcoming bilateral agreements.
The president also said the government should audit all agreements with Ukraine's military supporters and prepare a new level of defense assistance, according to lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak.
"In order to fully implement all this, I am introducing Svyrydenko and the government. Thank you all," Zelensky said.
Elsewhere, Ukraine appointed Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as its new special envoy to the U.S., Zelensky said on July 17.
"In this status, Olha will work to maintain momentum in relations with America while all the necessary procedures for approving her candidacy for the position of Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States with Washington are ongoing," Zelensky said in a post on social media.
Stefanishyna's appointment comes at a critical moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that the U.S. will impose "severe tariffs" on Russia unless it agrees to a peace deal within 50 days.
Outgoing Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin will take over as head of Ukroboronprom, Ukraine's largest state-owned defense manufacturer, Zelensky previously said. The Strategic Industries Ministry will be dissolved, with its responsibilities transferred to the Defense Ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov will become the first deputy prime minister in the incoming government, according to a document listing Svyrydenko's appointments obtained by the Kyiv Independent.
Oleksii Kuleba retains his post as the deputy prime minister and minister for communities and territories.
The Economy, Ecology, and Agriculture ministries will be merged into a single agency led by Oleksii Sobolev, previously Svyrydenko's deputy at the Economy Ministry.
Taras Kachka, another of Svyrydenko's deputies, will replace Stefanishyna as deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
The Social Policy Ministry will be renamed the Ministry for Social Policy, Family, and Unity, and Denys Uliutin, the first deputy finance minister, will lead it.
Svitlana Hrynchuk, the ecology minister, will become energy minister, replacing Herman Halushchenko, who will move to the Justice Ministry.
Halushchenko had faced criticism in parliament earlier this year, with lawmakers citing alleged corruption and mismanagement in the energy sector.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, Veterans Affairs Minister Nataliia Kalmykova, Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi, Health Minister Viktor Liashko, and Youth and Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi are to retain their posts.
Sybiha was reappointed with 271 lawmakers voting in favor.
Under Ukraine's semi-presidential system, the president nominates the prime minister, defense and foreign ministers, who must be approved by parliament.
The prime minister proposes other ministerial candidates, who also require confirmation by the legislature, which is currently dominated by Zelensky's Servant of the People party.
