Ukraine Appoints Yuliia Svyrydenko as Prime Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle to Bolster War Effort and Defense Production

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with reporters during the Ukraine Recovery Conference at La Nuvola convention center in Rome, Thursday, July 10, 2025

Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko was appointed prime minister on Thursday, becoming the country’s first new head of government since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. Her appointment marks a strategic move by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reinvigorate his wartime Cabinet, accelerate domestic weapons production, and reinforce economic resilience amid an ongoing military conflict now in its fourth year.

Svyrydenko, a key figure in Ukraine’s negotiations with the United States, notably led efforts to secure favorable terms in a critical U.S.–Ukraine mineral agreement. She has been instrumental in high-level diplomatic engagements with Western allies, emphasizing defense cooperation, post-war reconstruction, and economic recovery. Known for her administrative discipline and loyalty to the presidential office, she is widely viewed as a trusted executive within Zelenskyy’s circle.

The reshuffle also includes the reassignment of outgoing Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who held the position for over five years, making him the longest-serving prime minister in Ukraine’s modern history. Shmyhal has now been appointed as defense minister, taking over one of the government’s most vital roles during wartime. His new position comes as Ukraine seeks to reform and streamline its defense procurement systems while expanding arms manufacturing capacity.

The leadership transition occurs amid domestic expectations that the changes are more about efficiency and focus than political upheaval. Ukrainian analysts and lawmakers have underscored the continuity of Zelenskyy’s leadership team, pointing out that both Svyrydenko and Shmyhal remain staunch allies of the president.

Shmyhal replaces Rustem Umerov, who attempted to implement internal reforms but faced persistent challenges within the defense ministry, including procurement inefficiencies and administrative dysfunction. While Umerov played an active role internationally, his tenure was marred by criticism over the ministry’s internal operations.

President Zelenskyy emphasized the new government’s priorities in a recent post alongside Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. He outlined objectives for the next six months, including a dramatic increase in domestic arms production, the full-scale deployment of drones for military use, deregulation to unlock economic potential, and strengthened delivery of social assistance programs.

Further Cabinet adjustments are anticipated, but Svyrydenko’s elevation to prime minister signals a focus on continuity, loyalty, and wartime competence as Ukraine navigates the complex demands of governance during conflict.