Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his nomination of First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to lead his cabinet. If approved by parliament, Svyrydenko, who also currently serves as Minister of Economy, would replace incumbent Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, becoming Ukraine’s 19th head of government.
Shmyhal, appointed in 2020, has served throughout Russia’s war against Ukraine, making him the longest-serving head of government in the country’s history, as reported by the Financial Times.
Zelensky stated on X that he met with Svyrydenko, who led negotiations for a high-stakes mineral agreement with the U.S., and informed her that a new prime minister was needed for a “transformation of the executive branch.” Svyrydenko is considered a close ally of Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s powerful chief of staff.
