Ukraine Names New Prime Minister in Major Wartime Shake-Up

Yulia Anatoliivna Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, is seen at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 23, 2025.

Ukraine’s parliament appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister on 17 July, marking the first leadership change in five years amid a major cabinet overhaul aimed at strengthening the country’s wartime management as hopes for peace with Russia fade.

At 39, Svyrydenko has been given the critical task by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to increase domestic weapons production and revive Ukraine’s economy, which remains heavily dependent on foreign loans.

In a parliamentary address, Zelenskiy set clear goals for the new government, including raising the share of domestically produced weapons on the battlefield from 40% to 50% within six months. He also emphasised deregulation and expanding economic ties with allies as key priorities in this largest government reshuffle since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Svyrydenko, a seasoned technocrat and former first deputy prime minister since 2021, promised swift and decisive action. She stated on social media, “War leaves no room for delay,” and highlighted priorities such as ensuring reliable army supplies, expanding weapons production, and enhancing the technological capabilities of Ukraine’s defense forces.

She is also known for negotiating a crucial deal granting the US preferential access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, strengthening Kyiv’s ties with Washington. Zelenskiy hinted that further agreements with the US would follow, though he provided no specifics.

Alongside the prime ministerial change, parliament is expected to appoint outgoing prime minister Denys Shmyhal as defence minister, following Zelenskiy’s nomination earlier in the week.

Svyrydenko steps into leadership amid intensified Russian offensives along a vast front line exceeding 1,000 km, as well as increasing air strikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is banking on a growing defence industry, partly fuelled by foreign investment, to resist Russia’s superior military forces.

With the national budget heavily directed towards defence, Kyiv faces the challenge of financing a ballooning deficit as foreign aid declines. Officials anticipate a shortfall of approximately $19 billion next year.

To address this, Svyrydenko announced plans for a comprehensive audit of public finances aimed at achieving genuine savings, along with accelerating privatisation efforts and supporting entrepreneurs.

She won broad support with 262 votes in the 450-seat parliament, though sessions are not broadcast during wartime.

The government overhaul also brings new leaders to the ministries of economy, justice, energy, and European integration, though most are familiar faces within the political landscape.

Some opposition members expressed doubts about the new cabinet’s independence, warning it would remain tightly controlled by Zelenskiy’s administration, which holds extensive powers under wartime constitutional provisions. Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the Holos party remarked, “They will be told by the president’s office what they should really do.”