Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stepped down on Wednesday, marking the most prominent exit in a significant government overhaul commanded by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a critical phase of the 30-month conflict with Russia. Kuleba, aged 43, was the second most recognizable Ukrainian figure internationally, engaging with global leaders and advocating for military and political backing in fluent English.
Further resignations and appointments are anticipated in the coming days, following the resignation of five ministers on Tuesday. A senior ally of Zelensky described this as the beginning of a government 'reset' in preparation for the upcoming cold seasons. Kuleba's resignation letter was shared on Facebook by the parliament speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Zelensky has emphasized that governmental changes are essential to attain the outcomes Ukraine needs. He stated, 'Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need — for all of us.'
Meanwhile, Russian forces are pushing forward in eastern Ukraine, and Ukrainian troops have made a daring incursion into Russia's Kursk region. Moscow has escalated drone and missile assaults in recent weeks, and Kyiv executed a large-scale drone attack on Russia's energy infrastructure over the weekend.
On Tuesday, at least 50 individuals, including soldiers, were killed in a twin missile strike in the central Ukrainian town of Poltava, marking the deadliest single attack of the year. Zelensky is scheduled to visit the United States later this month, where he aims to present a 'victory plan' to US President Joe Biden, a crucial ally.
The Kremlin has stated that changes in the Ukrainian government will not impact the peace negotiation process, although such talks seem unlikely given the wide gap in objectives between the two sides. Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that parliamentary committees will review the resignations before parliament votes on them, typically a procedural step. New appointments are expected to be confirmed as early as Thursday.
Zelensky is anticipated to propose his candidate for a new foreign minister on Wednesday, with first deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha being a leading contender. On Tuesday, several ministers, including Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, resigned.
At least five ministerial positions have been vacant since earlier this year when ministers were dismissed or resigned, including key roles in agriculture and infrastructure. Opposition lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko criticized the situation, calling it 'a government without ministers ... an intellectual and personnel crisis that the authorities are ignoring.' She advocated for a government of national unity to loosen Zelensky's political team's control over power.
