Ukraine Parliament Accepts PM's Resignation

Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday to accept Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation, dismissing the entire government and paving the way for a cabinet reshuffle.

A total of 258 lawmakers supported the resignation, while five abstained and one voted against it. Cabinet ministers will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new government is approved.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to reshuffle the government two days before the vote, saying Ukraine needed a “restart” of the executive branch. He also said he had offered Svyrydenko a new role focused on strengthening cooperation with one of Ukraine's key international partners. Ukrainian media have speculated that she could become ambassador to the United States, although no appointment has been confirmed.

According to Ukrainian media reports, Serhiy Koretskyi, chief executive of the state-owned energy company Naftogaz, is the leading candidate to become the next prime minister.

Svyrydenko served as prime minister for one year. During her tenure, she led negotiations on a strategic minerals agreement with the United States, while her government also prioritized Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. The reshuffle comes as Zelensky seeks to reorganize his administration more than three years into Russia's full-scale invasion.

(kyivindependent, lud)