Ukraine's parliament votes to dismiss Prime Minister Svyrydenko, opening a government overhaul before winter

The vote

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on Tuesday, voting 258 for and one against with five abstentions, according to the Kyiv Independent and other outlets. The decision dissolves the entire government and places all ministers on an acting basis until a new cabinet is formed. Denys Shmyhal, first deputy prime minister and Svyrydenko's predecessor, will serve as acting prime minister in the interim. A parliamentary vote on a new government is expected on Thursday, Ukrinform reported, citing unnamed sources.

A year in office

Svyrydenko, 40, had led the government since 17 July 2025, when she replaced Shmyhal after his five-year tenure. In a farewell address to deputies, she pointed to the energy sector's survival through last winter's Russian strikes and progress on economic growth. "In a situation where the enemy is trying so hard to destroy life everywhere, from small villages to big cities, ensuring a dignified life for Ukrainians is not an easy task," she said, quoted by Ukrinform. "But I believe that together with you, we persevered and did everything possible (and often the impossible) for the energy sector, education, transport, health and housing for internally displaced persons."

The succession question

Ukrainian media and officials have pointed to Serhii Koretskyi, CEO of the state energy giant Naftogaz, as the favourite to become the next prime minister. A Ukrainian official and a source familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Koretskyi will take the job. Other names floated include Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov, and Denys Shmyhal himself. No formal nomination has been made yet.

A potential ambassadorship and corruption probe

Several MPs said Svyrydenko is likely to be appointed Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, replacing Olha Stefanyshyna, who is leaving the diplomatic service. At the same time, an Interfax-Ukraine source claimed Svyrydenko is not considering the ambassadorial post. Politico reported that Stefanyshyna has been the subject of anticorruption investigations, including alleged embezzlement of 2.5 million hryvnias, illegal seizure of state property by her ex-husband, and an undeclared luxury apartment. No formal charges have been filed. A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously to Politico, said the investigation into the ambassador accelerated the reshuffle plans that had been in preparation for months.

Svyrydenko played a key role in negotiating the US-Ukraine minerals deal in 2025, initially seen as unfavourable to Ukraine but later revised into a mutually beneficial agreement. On Sunday, Zelenskyy said he was grateful to the outgoing premier and had offered her leadership of "an important new area of relations with a key partner," without specifying which partner.

Zelenskyy's "new political strategy"

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the reshuffle on Sunday as part of a "new political strategy." He listed priority areas including relations with the United States, the European anti-ballistic missile project, EU membership, and relations with neighbouring countries, especially Poland and Hungary. "A specific person with extensive experience will be responsible for each priority area of foreign policy," he said, calling for a new level of cooperation on defence, including licences to produce Patriot-system missiles.

Political commentator Volodymyr Fesenko said the announcement was unexpected and that a factor is still unknown that accelerated the personnel changes. Svyrydenko was widely seen as a close ally of former presidential office head Andriy Yermak, who was dismissed earlier. Fesenko told the Kyiv Independent that the public needs to see that the process of "de-Yermakization" continues, even with the replacement of the prime minister. Svyrydenko reacted on social media, posting a photo of herself forming a heart with her hands and writing: "Thank you all for your support. It was an honour to work for Ukraine."