Ukrainian lawmakers convened on Thursday to approve the appointment of a new foreign minister and two deputy prime ministers, marking President Volodymyr Zelensky's most significant government overhaul since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Andrii Sybiha, a 49-year-old seasoned diplomat with a low public profile, has been chosen to lead the foreign ministry, succeeding Dmytro Kuleba, who has been one of Ukraine's most recognizable figures in the West in recent years. The new foreign ministry leadership is not anticipated to bring substantial changes to policy; Zelensky and his office have assumed the primary role in foreign affairs amid the ongoing war with Russia.
The Ukrainian president, who is scheduled to visit the United States this month and aims to present a 'victory plan' to President Joe Biden, has emphasized that Ukraine requires 'new energy' and that this autumn will be crucial for the nation's war efforts. Dmytro Razumkov, an opposition lawmaker, foresees minimal impact from the new appointments, noting that most decisions are made within Zelensky's office, which has been granted significant new emergency powers under martial law.
Parliament reconfirmed 38-year-old Olha Stefanyshyna as deputy prime minister responsible for European integration, expanding her portfolio to include oversight of the justice ministry. Stefanyshyna highlighted in her address to lawmakers prior to her appointment that 'hundreds and thousands' of legal reforms are necessary as Ukraine strives to join the European Union. Additionally, lawmakers approved the appointment of Oleksiy Kuleba, a former deputy head of Zelenskiy's office, as deputy prime minister in charge of reconstruction, regions, and infrastructure. Further ministerial appointments are expected to be made by Parliament on Thursday as part of the broader government restructuring.
Russian forces continue to advance in the east and have intensified missile and drone assaults on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities distant from the frontline, targeting the power sector and other infrastructure in near-daily attacks. Zelenskiy has indicated that his team is preparing several key meetings with foreign partners in September to regain the initiative in the war. In his most recent national address, he outlined the current priorities as securing air defence supplies from the West, enhancing battlefield conditions, and obtaining foreign assistance for the reconstruction of Ukraine. He is expected to participate in a meeting of the Ramstein group of nations, which provides arms to Ukraine, according to German media outlet Der Spiegel. Zelenskiy has repeatedly urged allies to lift restrictions that prevent Kyiv from using Western weapons for long-range strikes into Russia.
