Yulia Svyrydenko’s government is set to resign: who could lead the Cabinet of Ministers?
This was announced by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada. According to him, the resignation has already been submitted to parliament, and MPs will consider it in the near future in accordance with established procedure.
Stefanchuk thanked Svyrydenko for his work at the helm of the government, for strengthening the economy, for supporting Ukrainians and for advancing the country’s progress towards accession to the European Union.
When will Svyrydenko’s government resign?
The submission of the resignation does not mean the immediate termination of the Prime Minister’s powers. Svyrydenko will remain in office until the Verkhovna Rada votes on her resignation.
If the resignation is submitted during a regular parliamentary session, MPs must consider it no later than the tenth day. At least 226 votes are required to pass the motion.
A decision on the Prime Minister’s resignation simultaneously entails the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers. Separate votes on the dismissal of each minister are not required for this.
At the same time, the work of the executive branch will not be interrupted. Even after its resignation, the Svyrydenko government will continue to exercise its powers until the new Cabinet takes office. The incumbent ministers will be formally dismissed once the new government has been formed.
Who could become the new Prime Minister
No official candidate for the post of Prime Minister has yet been announced. According to media reports, the authorities are considering four candidates: Serhiy Koretskyi, head of Naftogaz; Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy; Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Defence; and Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv.
Serhiy Koretskyi is considered the most likely candidate. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has stated that his appointment has reportedly been all but agreed, though this information has not been officially confirmed.
Koretskyi chairs the board of NAK ‘Naftogaz of Ukraine’ and heads ‘Ukrnafta’. His possible appointment could signal a greater focus on economic and energy matters within the Cabinet of Ministers.
Denys Shmyhal, who previously served as Prime Minister from March 2020 to July 2025, is also mentioned among the candidates. He currently serves as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy.
Mykhailo Fedorov could be a candidate with a distinct defence and technology background. Ihor Terekhov represents local government and is the mayor of Kharkiv, which is regularly subjected to Russian attacks.
The inclusion of names on the list of potential candidates does not yet mean that any of them have been approved. The final decision will depend on the president, the parliamentary majority and a vote in the Verkhovna Rada.
How the new prime minister will be appointed
The President submits the candidate for Prime Minister to the Verkhovna Rada after receiving a proposal from the coalition of parliamentary groups or the group holding the parliamentary majority.
Before the vote, the candidate must meet with the parliamentary groups and answer their questions. The Verkhovna Rada adopts the decision to appoint the new Prime Minister by a roll-call vote.
Following the appointment, the new head of government submits the nominations for most of the ministers. The ministers of defence and foreign affairs are appointed by parliament separately, on the recommendation of the President.
The new Cabinet of Ministers will begin its work once at least two-thirds of its members have taken the oath of office. Until then, the Svyrydenko government will continue to carry out its duties.
Why Zelenskyy decided to reshuffle the government
On 12 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he had discussed a reshuffle of the Cabinet of Ministers with Svyrydenko. He thanked her for her work and offered her the opportunity to lead another area of Ukraine’s relations with one of its key partners. The exact nature of the post in question has not been officially specified.
At the same time, the President announced reshuffles in the leadership of law enforcement agencies and changes to the implementation of foreign policy. The final composition of the new Cabinet has not yet been publicly revealed.
How long did Svyrydenko’s government last?
Yulia Svyrydenko was appointed Prime Minister on 17 July 2025. On the same day, the Verkhovna Rada approved the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers. Thus, at the time of submitting her resignation, she had been leading the government for almost a year.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Svyrydenko held the posts of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Economy.
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