Ukraine has a new female Prime Minister and new ambassador to the US
Ukraine's parliament voted on July 17 to approve the appointment of Yuliia Svyrydenko as new prime minister in a major cabinet reshuffle.
According to the Kyiv Independent, Ms. Svyrydenko is an economist (39 years old) who used to be the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine. She was nominated by President Volodymyr Zelensky to replace Mr. Denys Shmyhal after 5 years in office.
Ms. Svyrydenko received 262 votes in favor, 22 votes against, and 26 abstentions in the vote of the Ukrainian parliament.
"The Ukrainian government is moving towards a strong Ukraine on military, economic, and social grounds. My main goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in their daily lives," Svyrydenko shared on social media.
The Ukrainian parliament is expected to approve other members of the new cabinet. Mr. Zelensky announced the list of nominees for the new government on July 16, after the legislature formally dismissed Mr. Shmyhal’s cabinet.
Mr. Shmyhal is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Ukraine. He is expected to replace Mr. Rustem Umerov as Defense Minister.
Also today, Ukraine appointed Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as the new ambassador to the United States.
"In her new capacity, Ms. Stefanishyna will strive to maintain the momentum of development in relations with the United States, while all necessary procedures with Washington to approve her candidacy for the position of Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States are still underway," President Zelensky said.
Stefanishyna’s appointment comes at a critical time in US-Ukraine relations, with President Donald Trump recently warning that the US would impose “severe tariffs” on Russia if Moscow did not agree to sign a peace deal within 50 days.
