Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that he has proposed Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal to become the country’s energy minister and first deputy prime minister.
Zelenskiy called on Ukrainian lawmakers to support Shmyhal, a former prime minister, as the new energy minister, saying his experience was vital to ensure stability in the power sector amid intensifying Russian attacks.
“It is crucial that, after each Russian strike, we can quickly restore what has been destroyed, and that the growth of Ukraine’s energy sector remains stable and sufficient to meet the country’s needs,” Zelenskiy said, posting a picture of him meeting Shmyhal in the presidential office on Telegram.
Russia has pounded Ukraine’s energy sector with drones and missiles for consecutive winters since the war began nearly four years ago. In recent months, Moscow has again intensified its strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, forcing long blackouts across the country during critical winter months.
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Shmyhal, 50, is one of the most experienced government officials in Ukraine, praised by analysts for his skills to maintain economic stability and ensure efficient government operations after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
He was Ukraine’s longest-serving prime minister, running the government from 2020 until July 2025, when he was appointed defence minister.
Zelenskiy said the changes were needed to make Ukraine more resilient as the country faces a critical moment in its efforts to end the war with Russia.
The government changes come as Ukrainian negotiators press for security guarantees from the United States and European allies as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes both Kyiv and Moscow to find a solution on how to end the war.
REUTERS