Why is Zelenskyy reshuffling Ukraine's government?

Published 15 July 2026 · politics

On Tuesday, Ukraine's parliament approved Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation with a clear majority, dismissing the country's entire government. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had announced on social media on Sunday that he had offered Svyrydenko a new position. Media report that she could become Ukraine's next ambassador to the United States. "I am grateful to Yulia for her clear, steady and effective work as prime minister, and for all her years of successful work as part of Team Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. "I have offered her the opportunity to take on a new significant role in relations with an important partner. I expect that, together with members of parliament, we will make the necessary changes to the Ukrainian government." Zelenskyy posted photos of meetings with Sergii Koretskyi, head of the state-owned energy company Naftogaz, first Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Will Svyrydenko be the new Ukrainian ambassador to the United States? Image: Ukraine Presidency/Ukrainian Pre/ZUMA/IMAGO Why Zelenskyy is reshuffling Ukraine's government There has been much speculation and debate about why Zelenskyy might be reshuffling the government, which has been in office for less than a year. Ihor Reiterovych, a political scientist with the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv, told DW that a reshuffle had originally been planned for the coming fall or spring. However, Reiterovych said, several recent incidents had prompted a more immediate intervention.

Mainly, there is the issue of Ukraine's current ambassador to the United States: Olga Stefanishyna. She is being investigated by Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities regarding activities prior to her appointment to work in Washington, DC. There are rumors that she is considering resigning. "It is possible that the Americans signaled that a scandal involving the ambassador would be too much for them and that something needed to be done," Reiterovych said. "That's why Zelenskyy had to react. Svyrydenko is a good candidate; she cooperated well on the raw materials agreement with the Americans and established contacts there. The Americans are willing to work with people with whom they've already worked together." Reiterovych said recent scandals involving the armed forces could damage Zelenskyy's reputation as Ukraine's commander-in-chief. Investigative reporting has uncovered instances of torture, the cruel treatment of recruits and the cover-up of deaths occurring outside of combat operations. At the same time, inspections are underway regarding irregularities in conscription and the draft, particularly after many mobilized men were found to be medically unfit for service. Ukraine recruits female prisoners for frontline fighting To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Rotating the personnel could help Zelenskyy draw attention from the military's many issues, Reiterovych said. He said communications problems with the Cabinet, including Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, could also be a factor in Zelenskyy's push for change.