Significant changes are anticipated within Ukraine’s Cabinet, as media reports suggest a potential appointment of Serhiy Koretsky, the head of Naftogaz, as the new Prime Minister. Current Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko may shift to lead the Ukrainian embassy in the United States.
The security sector is also expected to undergo a reshuffle. Sources from LB.ua indicate that following the formation of the new government, current Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko could move to head the Ministry of Defense. Reasons for this shift include an urgent need to bolster mobilization efforts and dissatisfaction with the current Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov.
Changes are also in the works at the Security Service of Ukraine, where Alexander Poklad, the first deputy head of the SBU, is being considered for the position of head.
Other ministerial positions are likely to see changes as well. Reports indicate that Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi and Veterans Affairs Minister Natalia Kalmykova may leave their posts. However, final decisions on the new Cabinet composition have yet to be made.
Additionally, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a member of parliament from Holos, stated via Telegram that Koretsky remains a leading candidate for Prime Minister. He believes that several current ministers, including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Culture Vice Prime Minister Tetiana Berezhna, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, Health Minister Viktor Liashko, Youth and Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Social Policy Minister Denys Uliutin, are likely to retain their positions.
Zheleznyak noted there might be a change in the Vice Prime Minister for European Integration, with Taras Kachka potentially replaced by Volodymyr Chentsov, the Ukrainian representative to the EU.
Separately, discussions are underway regarding the division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources into a Ministry of Economy and Ecology, which may be led by Oleksiy Sobolev, and a separate Ministry of Agrarian Policy, potentially headed by Taras Vysotsky.
Moreover, there are reports that Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksii Kuleba may exit the government. The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development is slated to be split into two separate entities: the Ministry of Regional Development, which could be led by Vitaliy Bezgin, and a Ministry of Infrastructure, the head of which has yet to be announced.
Another key issue involves the Ministry of Digital Transformation, where Valeriia Ionan was considered as a candidate for the top position, but the final decision hinges on Fedorov’s future with the ministry.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice may see Denys Maslov, a member of the Servant of the People party, take the helm.
Context
- On July 12, President Zelensky announced a “change in Ukraine’s political strategy” and a Cabinet update, thanking Svyrydenko for her service while suggesting she take on a significant role in relations with a key partner of Ukraine.
