Ukraine prime minister steps down as Zelensky shifts strategy amid war
Yulia Svyrydenko resigns after less than a year in office, coming at a pivotal moment in the war with Russia
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced fresh changes to Ukraine’s government, saying he had offered a new and important position to the former premier.
Zelensky, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, has periodically reshuffled his government in an effort to bring fresh momentum to his administration.
Svyrydenko, who has served as Ukraine’s economy minister, was named prime minister in July 2025 at the age of 39 after playing a lead role in securing a mineral agreement between Ukraine and the United States, seen as an important way of tying US interests to Ukraine’s security.
In a statement on social media, Svyrydenko said she was “proud to have had the honour of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history”. She also said she had discussed “next steps” with Zelensky, but did not provide further details.
“I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer,” she said.
Zelensky announced her resignation in a post saying that Ukraine was “changing its political strategy”. He also said he had offered Svyrydenko the opportunity to lead “a new, important area” in Ukraine’s relations with a key international partner.