Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday announced plans to replace Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after just one year in office, prompting the resignation of the entire government.
Zelenskiy did not name a successor or disclose Svyrydenko’s next role, but said changes would also be made within Ukraine’s law enforcement leadership.
He said the reshuffle was necessary to “ensure the implementation of an updated political strategy,” without providing further details.
“I am grateful to Yuliia for her clear, steady, and effective work as Prime Minister, for her years of productive service on Ukraine’s team, and I have offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.
“I expect that, together with MPs, we will make the corresponding changes in the Government of Ukraine.”
Svyrydenko, an economist, became prime minister in July 2025 after serving as deputy head of Zelenskiy’s office and later as deputy prime minister overseeing economic development and trade.
The president also gave no explanation for the planned changes in law enforcement leadership.
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The government reshuffle comes as Ukraine continues to grapple with major corruption allegations. The high-profile “Midas” case, involving an alleged $100 million kickback scheme at state nuclear energy company Energoatom, has implicated figures close to Zelenskiy and intensified scrutiny of his administration as Kyiv seeks to reassure Western allies of its commitment to fighting corruption.
Authorities have accused Zelenskiy’s former business partner, Timur Mindich, of leading the scheme and have also named former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak as a suspect. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
Under Ukrainian law, parliament must approve the prime minister’s resignation, which automatically results in the resignation of the entire cabinet.
Potential successors reportedly include former prime minister and current Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Naftogaz chief Serhiy Koretskyi.
Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said Koretskyi is the frontrunner for the premiership, while Svyrydenko is expected to be appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, replacing Olga Stefanishyna, who has served in the role since last August.
