The Ukrainian government is undergoing a major reshuffle. The Verkhovna Rada has officially supported the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, which automatically entails the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers. The decision to "restart" the government was announced spontaneously by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, and by Tuesday, deputies had voted for the change in leadership.
What is known about Sviridenko's new position
Along with the decision to step down as head of the government, Yulia Sviridenko received an offer from the president to take on a new position. However, neither the head of state nor the former Prime Minister herself have revealed the details of this offer. Various versions are circulating in the corridors and among deputies.
According to sources from RBC-Ukraine, the discussion could have been about appointing Sviridenko as the Ukrainian Ambassador to the USA. However, the publication's contacts in the President's Office confirmed that the former Prime Minister refused this candidacy. "This was not a surprise," noted the source, adding that the issue would be discussed further.
Deputy from the "Servant of the People" faction, Olha Vasylevska-Smaglyuk, put forward a different version: Sviridenko could head the President's Office. Meanwhile, the current head of the PO, Kyrylo Budanov, is rumored to move to the post of Minister of Defense. However, an informed source from RBC-Ukraine refuted this scenario at the current time, calling it detached from reality.
Key intrigue: the fate of the Minister of Defense
Among all personnel issues, one of the main intrigues remains the fate of the current Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov. Rumors about his possible dismissal and replacement by the current Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, are being actively discussed in the media and social networks.
Nevertheless, numerous sources in the authorities have not yet confirmed that a decision regarding Fedorov has already been made. Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada note that the appointment of the Minister of Defense remains the prerogative of the president. "Although we have deputies dissatisfied with Fedorov, if the president decides to submit him to the Rada, there will be votes for such an appointment," explained one of the people's deputies.
Candidate for Prime Minister and voting schedule
On Sunday, after announcing the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers, the president held a series of meetings with potential candidates for key posts, including Serhiy Koretskyi, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ihor Klymenko, and Ihor Terekhov. Just a few hours later, it became known that the head of "Naftogaz", Serhiy Koretskyi, is being considered as the main candidate for the post of Prime Minister. He himself has not yet commented on the topic of appointment.
The Prime Minister candidate is expected to meet with the "Servant of the People" faction on Wednesday. Voting in the Verkhovna Rada is scheduled for Thursday. If the process goes according to plan, the entire new composition of the government could be elected on the same day.
