- Friday, July 18, 2025

Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Hanna Arhirova at The Associated Press is the basis of this AI-assisted article.

​Ukraine has announced its most significant government reshuffle since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Here are five key government changes in Ukraine:



• Yulia Svyrydenko appointed as the new prime minister — Ukraine’s economy minister and key U.S. mineral deal negotiator becomes the country’s first new head of government since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022

• Denys Shmyhal moves from prime minister to defense minister — The longest-serving head of government in Ukraine’s history transitions to lead the defense ministry, which commands one of the largest budgets due to the ongoing war

• Rustem Umerov replaced as defense minister — Despite his international role, Umerov’s tenure was marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine’s defense procurement system

• Cabinet reshuffle initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — A broader reorganization of top government positions aimed at energizing the war-weary nation and boosting domestic weapons production

• Focus shifts to domestic weapons production and drone contracting — The government restructuring emphasizes increasing domestic weapons manufacturing and fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine’s defense forces over the next six months

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READ MORE: Zelenskyy shakes up Ukrainian Cabinet, appointing a new prime minister to reinvigorate war effort

 

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