Ukraine: Parliament confirms Yulia Svyrydenko as new prime minister

The Ukrainian Parliament approved the appointment of Yulia Svyrydenko as the country's new prime minister, replacing Denys Shmyhal, who held the post since March 4, 2020.

Svyrydenko, who served until now as Ukraine's first deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and trade, was nominated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who announced days earlier that there would be a reshuffle in the government.

"It is a great honor for me to head the Ukrainian government," Svyrydenko said as soon as she was officially confirmed as the new prime minister, while adding that the war against Russia leaves no time for any delay and that it is necessary to "act quickly and decisively."

Zelensky thanked all lawmakers who have supported Svyrydenko's candidacy and announced further changes to be implemented in the coming days.

"The Government of Ukraine has been renewed, and starting today, government officials should begin implementing the tasks that have been set. I thank all the Members of Parliament who supported the candidacies of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and ministers," the Ukrainian president noted.

"Tomorrow, we will continue with the reconfiguration of the security sector. On Monday, we will renew the Ukrainian diplomatic corps — we are preparing the relevant changes with the Minister of Foreign Affairs," he added.

Olha Stefanishyna named new liaison to U.S.

Another prominent change in the Ukrainian cabinet was that of Olha Stefanishyna, who will serve as a special representative of the Ukrainian president for the development of cooperation with the United States of America.

"In this capacity, Olha will work to maintain momentum in our relations with the U.S. while all the necessary procedures for approving her candidacy with Washington as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States are underway," Zelensky stressed.