Zelenskyy Proposes Replacing Prime Minister and Law-Enforcement Leaders in Cabinet Reshuffle

Al Jazeera reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a government reshuffle on July 12, 2026, proposing the replacement of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko along with changes in law enforcement leadership. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is changing its political strategy, with each priority foreign policy direction overseen by a specific individual with substantial experience capable of delivering on agreements reached at the leaders’ level.

He said he discussed the details with Svyrydenko and they agreed that implementing the changes requires a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The new strategy will focus on agreements to manufacture Patriot air defence systems under licence, advancing Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership and deepening ties with the Gulf region. Svyrydenko became prime minister a year ago, succeeding Denys Shmyhal.

She previously served as first deputy prime minister and economy minister and negotiated a critical minerals agreement between Washington and Kyiv last year.

The 39-year-old wrote on X that she was proud to have led the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history and thanked those defending the country. Zelenskyy thanked Svyrydenko for her offer to lead a new significant direction in relations with a key partner.