Zelenskyy Appoints New Prime Minister, Plans to Ramp up Domestic Arms Production

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister, the first new head of government since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

The appointment of the former economy minister is part of a broader cabinet reshuffle aimed at boosting domestic weapons production and revitalizing the economy.

Svyrydenko, 39, replaces Denys Shmyhal, who resigned on Tuesday after serving in the role since March 4, 2020. Shmyhal will remain in the Cabinet as defense minister as Ukraine seeks to ramp up weapons production.

Svyrydenko was a key negotiator in a mineral agreement with the United States and has represented Kyiv in high-level talks with Western partners on economic recovery, reconstruction, and defense. She also played a lead role in the 2022 negotiations with other countries to impose sanctions on Russia.

In a post on X, following her appointment, she said, “War leaves no room for delay. We must act swiftly and decisively. Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defense forces.”

Zelenskyy also nominated Olga Stefanishyna, former prime minister for European integration, as Ukraine’s next ambassador to Washington. While her candidacy is in the process of being approved, she will be acting as Zelenskyy’s special representative for developing cooperation with the United States.

In a social media post on Thursday, the president said that in this capacity, Stefanishyna will “work to maintain momentum in our relations” with the United States.

In a separate speech delivered to the Ukrainian parliament on Thursday, the president said that “changes in diplomatic work with America are needed” ahead of new agreements set to be made with the United States.

According to the president’s website, priorities for the new government will include boosting domestic weapons production, easing regulations to support economic growth, and delivering social support programs.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is aiming to boost domestic arms production. He said 40 percent of the weapons his country uses are made in Ukraine.

“In six months, it should be no less than 50 percent,” he told parliament.

He added that government officials, diplomats, and the National Security and Defense Council are working on new defense cooperation agreements with “key partners” to usher in an era in which Ukraine becomes “one of the world’s leading security donors and weapons manufacturers.”

Ukraine’s cities have been under bombardment from Russian drone and missile strikes. Ukraine has developed its long-range drones, which it uses to strike deep inside Russia.

Weapons Transfers

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump backed a plan for European allies to buy U.S. Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.

On Thursday, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said that arrangements are being made to transfer the weapons.

Grynkewich said that he did not know how many Patriots might be made available to Kyiv, adding, “We’re going to move as quickly as we can on this.”

On Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, told reporters in Brussels that he could not give a timeframe for when European nations would send more weapons to Kyiv, but that allies were “moving with haste” to get it done, indicating the deal would be an “ongoing movement.”

“The plan is that there will be American-made defense equipment, capabilities, that will be sold to our European allies, that they will provide to Ukraine,” he said.

Germany has already supplied Ukraine with three Patriot systems. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is also scheduled to meet with his British counterpart, John Healey, on Monday to discuss Trump’s proposal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.