Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced plans to replace Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after just a year in office, leading to the resignation of the current government. Though he didn’t specify who would take over or what Svyrydenko’s new role might be, Zelenskiy indicated there would also be leadership changes within law enforcement agencies. He explained these moves are necessary to “implement an updated political strategy” but provided no additional details.
Zelenskiy expressed appreciation for Svyrydenko’s dedicated and effective work as Prime Minister, highlighting her years of valuable service to Ukraine. He mentioned offering her the opportunity to lead a new, significant area of relations with a key partner. He also said he expects cooperation with parliament to implement these changes.
Svyrydenko, an economist, was appointed in July 2025 after serving a year as deputy head of Zelenskiy’s office and four years as deputy prime minister overseeing economic development and trade. Zelenskiy did not clarify why he desires new appointments for law enforcement leadership.
Over the past year, Ukraine has endured its largest corruption scandal, resulting in the resignation of a prominent figure in the presidential administration. The scandal, known as the Midas case, involved authorities alleging a $100 million kickback scheme at Energoatom, the state nuclear energy company. Several individuals close to Zelenskiy, including former chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Zelenskiy’s ex-business partner Timur Mindich, have been implicated—both denying any wrongdoing.
By Ukrainian law, the prime minister’s resignation requires parliamentary approval and results in the entire government stepping down. Possible successors include Zelenskiy’s previous energy minister Denys Shmyhal, defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, or Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretskyi. Well-connected opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak suggested Koretskyi has the strongest chances for the position, with Svyrydenko potentially moving on to become ambassador to the United States. Currently, Olga Stefanishyna, appointed last August, serves as Ukraine’s ambassador in Washington.