Ukrainian parliament backs new wartime cabinet, amid scandal over defence minister dismissal
Ukrainian Parliament Backs New Wartime Cabinet Amid Scandal
Ukrainian parliament backs new wartime cabinet - Ukrainian parliament backs new wartime leadership as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy completes a significant government reshuffle. The Ukrainian parliament has officially appointed Sergii Koretskyi as the country's new prime minister, marking a pivotal moment in Ukraine's wartime governance. Koretskyi, who has served as the head of state energy company Naftogaz since May 2025, assumes his new role as Ukraine confronts relentless Russian attacks targeting critical energy infrastructure. Kyiv has emphasized that preparing the nation's energy system for the harsh winter months remains an absolute priority, particularly as Moscow intensifies its campaign to systematically degrade Ukraine's power network, leaving major cities without electricity during freezing temperatures.
Defence Minister Appointment Sparks Public Response
Later on Thursday, Zelenskyy made the strategic decision to appoint Yevhenii Khmara, the current head of Ukraine's Security service (SBU), as acting Minister of Defence. The president confirmed he would subsequently seek parliamentary approval for Khmara's formal appointment to the defence ministry position. "Once the necessary legal procedures have been completed, I will request that MPs support Yevhenii Khmara's nomination for the position of Minister of Defence of Ukraine," Zelenskyy stated during his announcement. The president further revealed that he had personally met with Khmara to discuss a comprehensive strategic vision for how Ukraine should continue to act proactively to defend national independence and compel Russia to engage in meaningful diplomatic negotiations.
"This is precisely what our defence efforts in this war must focus on," Zelenskyy said regarding Khmara's extensive experience in conducting high-tech strike operations.
The appointment announcement comes at a crucial time, as mass demonstrations have erupted across Ukraine in response to Zelenskyy's controversial decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov from his role as defence minister. During a press conference held on 16 July, Zelenskyy expressed his satisfaction that Ukrainians were able to organize peaceful protests and freely express their views even during the ongoing war. The president had originally announced the planned government overhaul on 12 July, explaining that the administration needed a comprehensive "reset" to better address the challenges ahead.
Strategic Realignment for EU Integration
Zelenskyy emphasized that this reshuffle would enable Ukraine to recalibrate its wartime strategy with renewed focus on energy resilience and the country's European Union accession process. Koretskyi's nomination is widely viewed as a natural and logical choice, given his extensive experience managing Naftogaz during Russia's aggressive campaign to disrupt Ukraine's energy system. With nationwide elections suspended under martial law amid Moscow's full-scale war, a cabinet reshuffle represents Zelenskyy's most realistic instrument for political renewal and institutional revitalization.
In direct alignment with Kyiv's ambitious goal to accelerate EU integration, Vsevolod Chentsov, who has served as the head of Ukraine's mission to the European Union since 2021, has been elevated to the position of deputy prime minister for European integration. Taras Kachka, who has held this diplomatic position until now, is expected to replace Chentsov in Brussels, according to Euronews sources. This strategic move allows Kyiv to retain its most experienced officials on the critical EU accession portfolios while simultaneously swapping their geographic postings to maximize effectiveness.
Ukraine's foreign minister position, which the president submits separately for parliamentary consideration, has not yet received a formal vote. However, Euronews sources indicate that Andrii Sybiha is strongly expected to retain his current role as foreign minister. Meanwhile, member of parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced on Telegram that the new chiefs of both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence could potentially be appointed during a plenary session scheduled for 18 August, further solidifying the Ukrainian parliament's backing of the new wartime cabinet structure.