Ukrainian lawmakers have approved Yulia Svyrydenko, the economy minister and first deputy prime minister who led talks with the United States on a critical minerals deal, as prime minister in a cabinet shuffle aimed at boosting relations with Washington and breathing new life into the war-torn country.
Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, easily gave its approval to the move on July 17, with 262 deputies in the 450-seat legislature voting in favor of Svyrydenko, compared to 22 against and 26 abstentions among those present.
Svyrydenko, an economist, is well known in Washington after her prominent role in clinching the minerals agreement. The 39-year-old replaces Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine’s history.
In subsequent voting, Shmyhal was appointed to head the Defense Ministry as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looked to boost domestic weapons production with the war sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion, which is now well into its fourth year.
Minutes before his nomination was approved, Shmyhal told the Ukrainian parliament that the country's armed forces need a system "oriented toward the Ukrainian soldier," providing each with all the necessary means.
When nominated earlier this week, Svyrydenko said her top priority was "ensuring the defense and security forces of Ukraine and guaranteeing the stability of our state."
"The state apparatus has no right to waste the resources and potential of our country," she added.
As much as Zelenskyy's moves are aimed at reinvigorating Ukraine's war efforts, the shuffle is seen as an attempt by the president to boost the flow of communication and cooperation with the White House.
Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's foreign minister who had participated in a number of talks with US representatives, was reappointed to his position. However, Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, has left her post.
Instead, Zelenskyy nominated Olha Stefanishyna, the former head of Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration efforts. Her nomination came as a surprise, as Zelenskyy had also previously mentioned outgoing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as a possible successor.
Zelenskyy added that Stefanishyna will serve as a special envoy to the US until her candidacy as ambassador is approved in Washington.
Markarova, a financier and diplomat, angered members of the Republican Party when she helped organize Zelenskyy’s visit to an arms plant in the hometown of then-incumbent President Joe Biden, which was accompanied by Democratic lawmakers.
A series of events going back to 2019, including an impeachment trial triggered by a phone call with Zelenskyy in July of that year, had soured Trump on Ukraine and Washington's full support for Kyiv is seen as far from assured.
In a post on Telegram right after the July 17 parliamentary session, Zelenskyy announced that adjustments to Ukraine's diplomatic staff would continue the following week. "We are preparing changes together with the foreign minister," he added.
Minerals Deal
Svyrydenko, who was appointed as economic development and trade minister and first deputy prime minister in 2021, played a lead role in negotiations with the United States over a deal granting US companies access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals and rare earths.
Trump made the deal a cornerstone of his policy toward Ukraine, saying the United States needed to be reimbursed for its aid to the country, which has totaled about $175 billion since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Svyrydenko flew to Washington in April to sign an agreement with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that sets up the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. Under the agreement, the United States has the right to share in the profits from new Ukrainian minerals and energy projects.
Trump touted the agreement as ensuring US interests in Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
With Trump voicing frustration over a lack of progress in peace talks Russia, Ukraine is looking to use the opportunity to solidify agreements on weapons and other support from the White House.
Trump this week announced he would be selling weapons to NATO for further transfer to Ukraine -- his biggest show of support for the country since taking office in January.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also revealed that he and Trump have discussed a “mega deal” involving the United States purchasing Ukrainian-made drones for its own use.
The Ukrainian president said in an interview with the New York Post on July 17 that his latest talks with Trump had centered on a potential drone deal, with Kyiv offering battlefield expertise and drone technology in exchange for deeper US defense cooperation.
