Major reshuffle in the Ukrainian government amid ongoing conflict
7:12 AM EDT, September 5, 2024
On Thursday, the Ukrainian parliament accepted Dmytro Kuleba's resignation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs position. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has nominated Andriy Sybiha, the current Deputy Minister, to replace him.
On Wednesday, Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation to the Ukrainian parliament - the Verkhovna Rada. The vote took place on Thursday. 240 deputies voted in favor of Kuleba's resignation, one voted against, and 45 abstained.
Volodymyr Zelensky has nominated Andriy Sybiha, the current deputy foreign minister, to replace him. Sybiha has been Deputy Minister of foreign affairs since 2024. Previously, he was the Deputy Head of President Zelensky's office and the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey.
Reconstruction of the Ukrainian government
"The autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address, explaining the most significant government reorganization since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
The news of the resignation of more than half of the ministers in Kyiv was received without surprise. Rumors about upcoming government changes have been circulating for at least a few months. However, it was assumed that Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal would lose his position.
Recently, Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister for Strategic Industries responsible for the defense industry, resigned.
On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Iryna Vereshchuk was also dismissed. 255 deputies voted for her dismissal. Sources suggest that she will move to the role of Deputy Head of the President's Office, and her previous position will not be immediately filled, as the structure is to be reformed.
