Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday proposed that Denys Shmyhal become the new energy minister and first deputy prime minister. According to the president, his experience is key to stabilising the energy sector, which is facing increased pressure as a result of Russian attacks.
Zelensky also announced in recent hours that he plans to replace Shmyhal as defence minister with Mykhailo Fedorov, the current minister for digital transformation. The latter, according to him, has been active in the field of drones and effective in the digitalisation of the state administration.
The Ukrainian president did not specify the reasons for replacing Shmyhal, who has served as defence minister since last July after resigning as prime minister. However, he stressed that his new post will be equally important for the stability of the country.
In addition, the president appointed Kyrylo Budanov, former head of HUR military intelligence, as the new head of his office. Budanov replaces Andriy Jermak, who resigned after a corruption scandal. In Budanov's place, Zelensky plans to appoint foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko, he announced on Friday.
(reuters, max)