Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a new prime minister and other key leaders in the largest government reshuffle since Russia invaded three years ago, reports Al Jazeera.
Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, took over as prime minister from Denys Shmyhal, who had held the post since 2020, following her confirmation on Thursday by Ukraine's parliament.
Svyrydenko previously served as first deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and trade, roles that brought her in close contact with the administration of United States President Donald Trump.
She was credited with negotiating a critical mineral deal between Washington and Kyiv earlier this year, which helped thaw an initially frosty relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Svyrydenko stated on social media that she intends to focus on expanding Ukraine's domestic weapons production, strengthening its armed forces, and supporting the economy.
"Our Government sets its course toward a Ukraine that stands firm on its own foundations — military, economic, and social," she said. "My key goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in daily life. War leaves no room for delay. We must act swiftly and decisively," she said.
Outgoing Prime Minister Shmyhal, 49, will step in as defence minister, taking over a ministry that has struggled with a series of corruption scandals.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, 50, will stay in place, but Zelenskyy has named outgoing Justice Minister Olga Stefanishyna, 39, as his next ambassador to the US, pending US approval. Stefanishyna has experience working with the European Union and NATO and also played a role in negotiating the recent mineral deal with the Trump administration.
Stefanishyna will replace outgoing envoy Oksana Markarova, who earned the ire of Trump due to her positive working relationship with the administration of former US President Joe Biden.
Other reshuffles will see deputies Oleksiy Sobolev and Taras Kachka take over as the minister of economy, environment and agriculture and deputy prime minister for European integration.
Despite the shake-up in positions, critics say the new faces in Zelenskyy's cabinet remain largely the same.
They have also accused the Ukrainian leader of consolidating power by stacking key government posts with his "loyalists".
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