Zelenskyy announces government reshuffle focusing on defense, energy, and diplomatic strategy adjustment
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced on Sunday, July 12, that a government reshuffle would be initiated, proposing the replacement of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, who has served less than a year, to align with Ukraine’s new political strategy. According to Ukrainian law, the resignation of a prime minister requires parliamentary approval; once approved, the entire current government will resign. Zelenskyy stated that the new strategy will prioritize implementing defense cooperation agreements reached with allies, strengthening energy security, and reorganizing the diplomatic team. Specific arrangements for the government reshuffle are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Svyrydenko's "clear, steady, and efficient" work during her tenure as prime minister and acknowledged her long-standing contributions to Ukraine’s government. He mentioned that he had proposed assigning her to a "new and crucial area within a key partnership," though he did not disclose the specific role or reveal the identity of her successor.
On the same day, Zelenskyy met separately with the Minister of Energy, former Prime Minister Denys Chmyhal, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Mayor Igor Terekhov of Kharkiv, and CEO Serguiï Koretsky of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s largest state-owned energy company.
Ukrainian media reports suggest that all of the above individuals are considered potential candidates to succeed the prime ministership.
New strategy focuses on air defense, EU accession, and improved relations with neighboring countries
Zelenskyy said the next phase of diplomatic efforts will include: implementing the agreement with the United States on producing Patriot air defense missiles in Ukraine, advancing the establishment of a new European air defense system, continuing negotiations for EU membership, and improving relations with neighboring countries Poland and Hungary.
Zelenskyy emphasized that each key diplomatic area will be led by "a person with extensive experience."
Ukraine has long sought U.S. approval to produce the expensive Patriot missiles domestically, aiming to enhance its capability to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. Due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, U.S. missile stockpiles have dwindled, making it extremely difficult for Ukraine to acquire these systems currently.
President Trump recently stated that Ukraine would receive the necessary production authorization, but provided no further details. Analysts note that even with authorization, manufacturing such missiles would still take considerable time.
Russia has intensified its ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine, particularly targeting the capital Kyiv. Two large-scale aerial assaults earlier this month have collectively resulted in over 50 deaths.
Preparing for winter: Accelerating reforms in the energy sector
Zelenskyy stressed that preparing for winter is one of the most urgent tasks at hand, as Ukraine must brace for various threats that may arise in the future.
Last winter, under continuous Russian bombardment of energy infrastructure, Ukraine faced its worst energy crisis since the war began, encountering widespread power shortages amid harsh cold weather.
Zelenskyy said reforms in state-owned enterprises critical to Ukraine’s resilience must be accelerated. He noted that recent Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, fuel stations, and facilities in frontline and border regions have posed new challenges to the energy system. On Sunday, Zelenskyy met with Serguiï Koretsky, CEO of Naftogaz, and commended his work.
Under Ukrainian law, the government reshuffle plan must still be submitted to parliament for approval. However, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s parliament has generally remained supportive of Zelenskyy’s government.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870550172357632/
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