Ukrainian Parliament Confirms Resignation of Prime Minister Svyrydenko

Background: Government Formation in Wartime

There, Zelensky wrote: "I am grateful to Yuliya for her clear, steadfast, and effective work as Prime Minister, [...] and I have offered her to lead a new area in relations with an important partner." This wording suggests that the change at the top of the government could be part of a broader diplomatic and political realignment.

Observers interpret the move as a signal that Zelensky wants to tighten his control over government formation. Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko from the Center for Applied Political Research "Penta" pointed out that President Zelensky usually bundles personnel decisions together in one large package. Personnel decisions regarding the law enforcement agencies are also planned, according to sources close to the president.

Kyiv-based political scientist Oleksiy Haran sees the approach as a sign of a demonstration of power. "Obviously, Zelensky wants to demonstrate that he holds the reins and has everything firmly under control," Haran told Deutsche Welle. Another point is that parliament is to be put in its place once again. "They want to put parliament in its place once again," Haran summarized the thrust.

Power Struggle Between President and Parliament

Constitutional expert and military analyst Mykola Bielieskov warned in the DW interview that this approach is constitutionally not unproblematic. "Zelensky once again shows who is in charge, contrary to the constitution, because government formation is the exclusive competence of parliament and must, at least formally, be carried out through parliament." However, this practice has become entrenched in Ukraine since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion, as parliament in fact only performs a confirmatory function.

Historian and political advisor Vadym Denysenko classified the move as part of a "de-Yermakization," as the online newspaper "Kyiv Independent" put it. This refers to a break with the circle of the former head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, who was considered politically influential in the fall of 2024. At that time, Zelensky appointed several ministers who had been considered particularly loyal to Yermak. With the current reshuffle, Zelensky appears to be turning away from this personnel.

Break with Former Presidential Office Chief Yermak

The foreign policy dimension also plays a significant role according to experts' assessments. Zelensky justified the move on X by stating that he is pursuing a new political strategy: every important foreign policy area should be led by a person with "considerable experience." Haran interprets this as an indication of the desire to place relations with important international partners on a new personal basis.

At the center of this, according to several analysts' interpretation, is the relationship with the United States. Ukrainian political scientist Volodymyr Reiterovych stated in the DW interview: "The Americans are ready to work with people with whom they have already done things together." This applies in particular to those who were involved in the negotiations on the raw materials agreement concluded between Kyiv and Washington in 2025. Svyrydenko cooperated well in this process and made contacts there, according to Kyiv political circles.

Foreign Policy Realignment Toward the USA

The timing of the reshuffle takes on a particular explosiveness due to the report about the alleged withdrawal of the Ukrainian ambassador to the USA, Olha Stefanishyna. She reportedly asked to leave the diplomatic service for "personal reasons." Reiterovych considers it conceivable that there was an affair in this context that was irritating for Washington. "Possibly the Americans signaled that an affair involving the ambassador would be too much and that something should be done," he said. Zelensky responded with a consistent personnel realignment.

The entire government must now be newly formed under the Ukrainian constitution. Zelensky wrote on Telegram: "I assume that together with the parliamentarians we will make corresponding changes in the Ukrainian government." In practice, according to Reiterovych, this means: "They are simply supposed to vote for what is presented to them." Parliament is thus once again presented with a fait accompli.

The reshuffle is taking place only a few weeks before the second anniversary of the formation of the current government. Svyrydenko had only taken over the office in summer 2025. It is not the first time since February 2022 that Zelensky has restructured the government. The first change occurred immediately after the Russian invasion, when Denys Shmyhal was replaced.

Consequences for Ongoing Government Work

Svyrydenko herself was active prior to her appointment as prime minister, among other things, as economy minister and chief negotiator with international partners. In this capacity, she had played a key role in the negotiations on raw materials agreements and on the modalities of Western financial aid. Her departure from the office of head of government therefore means, from the perspective of Western observers, above all a loss of negotiation experience at the top of the government, but this could be compensated by new personnel.

The entire process is part of a phase of increased political and military strain for Ukraine. On Tuesday, Russian forces attacked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities again, as Ukrainian authorities reported. At the same time, the personnel shuffle in Kyiv is attracting international attention, as Ukraine is dependent on stable and reliable contacts in the government in the midst of the war.

The coming days will show whom Zelensky will propose as the new prime minister and what further personnel decisions will follow in the cabinet and in the law enforcement agencies. Observers in Kyiv expect that the reshuffle could be particularly far-reaching this time compared to previous changes, especially with regard to foreign policy and relations with Washington.