Zelenskyy ousts Ukraine’s prime minister in wartime reshuffle

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko will step down as part of a broad government reshuffle, marking the second major shake-up of Ukraine's wartime leadership in a year.pbs+2

Svyrydenko confirmed her departure on July 12, having served as prime minister for roughly a year after replacing Denys Shmyhal in July 2025. She is expected to transition to a new role focused on leading cooperation with Ukraine's key international partners, according to the Kyiv Independent.wikipedia+1

A Successor Yet to Be Named

Zelenskyy did not formally nominate a successor on Sunday, but Ukrainska Pravda reported that four candidates are under consideration: Serhii Koretskyi, the CEO of Naftogaz; Denys Shmyhal, currently serving as energy minister; Mykhailo Fedorov, the defense minister; and Ihor Zhovkva. According to TVP World, Zelenskyy held separate meetings with several senior ministers on Sunday as part of the selection process.pravda+2

A Pattern of Wartime Reshuffles

The move continues a pattern of periodic leadership changes Zelenskyy has pursued since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The July 2025 reshuffle that elevated Svyrydenko to the premiership was itself described as the most sweeping political shift since the start of the war, aimed at boosting defense production, strengthening ties with the United States, and revitalizing Ukraine's economy.youtube+1

Zelenskyy framed Sunday's changes as necessary to advance Ukraine's foreign policy and security objectives, according to Al Jazeera, though he did not elaborate publicly on the specific reasons behind Svyrydenko's removal. Politico reported that the reshuffle reflects Zelenskyy's intent to keep his government responsive to the evolving demands of the conflict.aljazeera+2

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, will need to approve any new prime ministerial nomination, a process that could unfold in the coming days.