KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that he plans to replace Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after only one year in office, triggering the resignation of the government.
Zelenskiy did not announce a successor or provide details about Svyrydenko’s future role, but said changes would also be made among the country’s law enforcement leadership.
The president said the reshuffle was intended to support the implementation of an “updated political strategy”, without providing further details.
Why is Zelenskiy changing the government?
Zelenskiy said he was grateful for Svyrydenko’s work as prime minister and had offered her the opportunity to lead a new area of Ukraine’s relations with a key international partner.
“I expect that, together with MPs, we will make the corresponding changes in the Government of Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
The proposed changes come as Ukraine faces political pressure over corruption allegations involving senior officials.
What is Svyrydenko’s background?
Svyrydenko, an economist, became prime minister in July 2025 after serving as deputy head of Zelenskiy’s office and previously holding the position of deputy prime minister responsible for economic development and trade.
Her resignation requires approval from parliament under Ukrainian law and would result in the resignation of the entire government.
What corruption issues is Ukraine facing?
The proposed reshuffle follows Ukraine’s largest corruption scandal in recent years, which has affected senior figures close to the government.
The investigation, known as the Midas case, involves allegations of a $100 million kickback scheme linked to the state nuclear energy company Energoatom.
Authorities have accused businessman Timur Mindich, a former business associate of Zelenskiy, of involvement in the alleged scheme. Mindich has denied wrongdoing.
Andriy Yermak, a former head of Zelenskiy’s presidential office, has also been named as a suspect and has denied the allegations.
The scandal has raised concerns at a time when Kyiv is seeking to demonstrate to international partners that it is committed to tackling corruption.
Who could replace Svyrydenko?
Several names have emerged as potential successors, including former prime minister and current Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Serhiy Koretskyi, head of state energy company Naftogaz.
Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said Koretskyi was considered a leading candidate for the post, while Svyrydenko could potentially take up a diplomatic role as ambassador to the United States.