Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that he intends to appoint a new prime minister to replace Yulia Svyrydenko, just one year after she took office — a move that would trigger the resignation of the entire government under Ukrainian law.
Writing on X, Zelensky thanked Svyrydenko for what he described as her “clear, diligent, and effective work” as prime minister and said he had offered her the opportunity to lead “a new and important area of relations with a key partner.” He did not name her next role, though opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, described as well-informed on the matter, said she was likely to be appointed ambassador to the United States.
Zelensky said the cabinet changes were necessary “to ensure the implementation of an updated political strategy” but provided no further detail. He added that he expected to carry out the necessary changes “in cooperation with members of parliament,” whose approval is required under Ukrainian law for any prime ministerial resignation.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of Ukraine’s largest corruption scandal on record, which forced the resignation of the head of the presidential office and cast a shadow over figures close to Zelensky. Authorities say the case involved a $100 million bribery scheme at state nuclear energy company Energoatom. Kyiv has been under pressure from Western allies to demonstrate it can confront high-level corruption, particularly as it seeks continued military and financial support.
Svyrydenko, an economist, was appointed in July 2025 after serving as deputy head of Zelensky’s office and before that as deputy prime minister for economic development and trade for four years.
Zelensky did not name a successor. MPs cited as potential candidates include former prime minister and current Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Serhiy Kovalenko, head of state energy company Naftogaz. Zheleznyak named Kovalenko as the frontrunner.
