Ukraine has a new female prime minister and a new ambassador to the United States.
The Ukrainian parliament voted on July 17 to approve the appointment of Yuliia Svyrydenko as the new Prime Minister in a large-scale cabinet reshuffle.
According to the Kyiv Independent, Svyrydenko is a 39-year-old economist who previously served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine. She was nominated by President Volodymyr Zelensky to replace Denys Shmyhal after five years in office.
Ms. Svyrydenko received 262 votes in favor, 22 against, and 26 abstentions in the Ukrainian Parliament's vote.
"The Ukrainian government is moving towards a strong Ukraine on military, economic, and social foundations. My main goal is to see real, positive results that all Ukrainian citizens will feel in their daily lives," Svyrydenko shared on social media.
The Ukrainian parliament is expected to approve the remaining members of the new cabinet. Zelensky announced his list of nominees for the new government on July 16, after the legislature officially dissolved Shmyhal's cabinet.
Mr. Shmyhal is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Ukraine. He is expected to take over the position of Minister of Defense from Mr. Rustem Umerov.
Also today, Ukraine appointed Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna as its new ambassador to the United States.
"In her new role, Stefanishyna will strive to maintain the momentum in relations with the United States, while all the necessary procedures with Washington to approve her candidacy for the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the United States are still underway," President Zelensky said.
Stefanishyna's appointment comes at a crucial time in US-Ukraine relations. President Donald Trump recently warned that the US would impose "severe tariffs" on Russia if Moscow did not agree to a peace deal within 50 days.
