Personnel Revolution in Kyiv: The Verkhovna Rada to Approve Khmara and Sybyha for Key Posts

Historic Vote: Khmara and Sybyha on the Brink of Appointment

On August 18, 2026, the Ukrainian political arena is preparing for one of the year's most significant events — the approval of new heads of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to information received from deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, including Oleksiy Honcharenko and Yaroslav Zhelezniak, parliament plans to fill two vacant positions as early as tomorrow. The official candidates for these posts are Yevhen Khmara and Andriy Sybyha, whose names have been at the center of political discussions in recent weeks.

The presentation of the candidates will take place today, August 18, during a session of the Verkhovna Rada, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will officially present his proposals. The vote is expected to take place with full attendance, and according to MPs, the coalition has enough votes to approve both ministers. This event will mark the logical conclusion of the Cabinet of Ministers renewal process, which began back in July of this year.

Political Context: From Protests to Compromise

The appointment of Yevhen Khmara as Minister of Defense sparked a wide resonance after President Zelenskyy decided in July 2026 to update the composition of the Cabinet. At that time, Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed, which triggered a wave of protests in Kyiv and other cities. Protesters demanded Fedorov's return to the post, but Zelenskyy stood by his decision and appointed Yevhen Khmara as acting Minister of Defense, who previously held the post of acting head of the SBU.

Despite the pressure, the President's Office insisted on the need to update the team, especially under the conditions of the ongoing martial law. Khmara, possessing experience in law enforcement agencies, was chosen as a compromise figure capable of ensuring stability in the defense sector. At the same time, according to current legislation, the Minister of Defense must be a civilian, which required additional legal decisions.

Legal Nuances: A Military Officer as Minister?

One of the key issues in Khmara's appointment was his military rank. According to Ukrainian legislation, the Minister of Defense must be a civilian. However, under martial law, the possibility of adopting a special law allowing a military officer to hold this position temporarily was considered. Ultimately, Khmara will likely be discharged from military service to obtain civilian status, which will allow him to legally take the post of Minister.

This move has drawn criticism from some deputies and experts who believe that appointing a military officer to a civilian position may violate the principle of separation of powers. Nevertheless, the President's Office argues this is necessary to ensure security and management efficiency during wartime.

Andriy Sybyha: From Acting to Official Status

Alongside Khmara's appointment, the Verkhovna Rada will also consider the candidacy of Andriy Sybyha for the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sybyha, who previously held the position of acting head of the MFA, was appointed during the Cabinet update in July 2026. His candidacy did not raise serious objections, but the question of his official appointment was delayed along with the head of the Ministry of Defense.

Sybyha is known for his diplomatic career and experience working in international organizations. His appointment is seen as a step towards strengthening Ukraine's position on the international stage, especially in the context of negotiations with NATO and EU partners. It is expected that Sybyha will continue the course of strengthening alliance ties and expanding Ukraine's diplomatic influence.

Contradictory Data

Despite general confidence in the success of the vote, there are some contradictions in the assessment of the situation. Some sources indicate that not all factions will support the candidacies of Khmara and Sybyha, especially regarding the appointment of a military officer as Minister of Defense. Others claim that the coalition has enough votes to approve both ministers without problems.

There are also disagreements regarding the timing of the vote. While most sources point to tomorrow's session, some deputies suggest that the vote could be postponed to a later date due to technical or political difficulties. These contradictions require further monitoring and clarification.