Zelensky changes defense minister
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has nominated Denis Shmigal, the country's longest-serving prime minister, as the new defense minister in a significant government reshuffle expected to be confirmed by parliament this week.
Shmigal, 49, has led Ukraine’s government since 2020, guiding it through both the COVID-19 pandemic and the intensifying conflict with Russia. In a video statement on Monday, Zelensky praised Shmigal’s expertise in managing scarce national resources, saying this experience would be crucial in his new role overseeing defense.
“The Defense Ministry is currently where the majority of our resources are focused. The challenges are immense, and so is the responsibility,” Zelensky noted.
To fill Shmigal’s role as prime minister, Zelensky has proposed Economy Minister and Deputy PM Yulia Sviridenko. At 39, she is known for securing a deal granting the U.S. privileged access to Ukrainian mineral assets. Sviridenko has pledged to unveil her proposed cabinet and policy agenda soon.
The reshuffle must be approved by parliament, with a vote on the current cabinet expected as early as July 16, once Shmigal officially resigns.
Outgoing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to be appointed Ukraine’s next ambassador to the U.S. Umerov, who previously led peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, recently met with Zelensky to discuss the transition. The president emphasized the need for someone capable of reinforcing Ukraine’s defense, particularly through arms acquisition.
The Defense Ministry has been mired in corruption scandals. Former Minister Aleksey Reznikov resigned in 2023 after a scandal involving overpriced military food supplies. His successor, Umerov, later revealed an internal audit had found roughly $262 million in losses due to theft and was himself reportedly under investigation for possible misconduct in procurement activities.
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