Zelensky has proposed Yulia Svyrydenko as Ukraine’s new PM, signaling a government overhaul and aiming to boost the economy and defense production.
by Sergii Kostezh, Alisa Orlova
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday proposed Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko serve as the country’s next prime minister, signaling a major political shakeup as Kyiv seeks to revamp its executive leadership amid war with Russia.“I have proposed that Yuliia Svyrydenko lead the government of Ukraine and significantly renew its work,” Zelensky said in a statement on social media, adding that a new government action plan would be presented “in the near future.”The move would mark the end of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s term – the longest in modern Ukrainian history. Shmyhal has served since 2020 and helped steer the country through the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Svyrydenko, 39, has served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy since late 2021. Her portfolio includes overseeing international economic cooperation and defense-industrial development.She gained international visibility earlier this year during high-stakes negotiations with Washington over a rare minerals deal, a dispute that briefly strained ties between Ukraine and the US.Zelensky said he met with Svyrydenko to discuss plans to boost Ukraine’s economic potential, expand social support programs, and scale up domestic weapons production – key priorities as the war grinds on into its third year.“To this end, we are starting to transform the executive power system in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
Svyrydenko’s appointment would require approval from Ukraine’s parliament, which has largely remained aligned with the president during wartime. If confirmed, she would become the first woman to serve as Ukraine’s prime minister.Svyrydenko was born in 1985 and took her first steps in her career in Chernihiv. A age 32, she was Deputy Chairman of the Chernihiv Regional Administration (head of the region), and at 33 –for six months – she served as Chairman of the Regional State Administration.
She was named Deputy Economy Minister in 2020 and promoted to the Cabinet the following year, just months before the Kremlin’s invasion.
