Sawt Falasteen - Zelensky orders new PM in major government reshuffle

Zelensky did not say who would replace incumbent Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko or elaborate on the reasons for the changes.

The reshuffle comes at a pivotal moment in the more than four-year war with Russia, with Moscow escalating its campaign of deadly ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine, and Kyiv planning to domestically produce US-designed Patriot air defence systems.

Here's what we know about the reshuffle so far:

- Why now? -

Zelensky did not give an immediate reason for the reshuffle.

In a statement on X, the Ukrainian leader listed a number of tasks that Ukraine needed to undertake, including making progress towards joining the European Union and setting up production of US-designed Patriot air defence systems -- a weapons system that the United States has promised Ukraine a license to manufacture.

He also said Ukraine needed to make preparations for winter, following repeated Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy grid each year.

"We determined that these changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers," he added, without elaborating.

- New roles -

Zelensky separately said he planned to assign different people to manage different areas of foreign policy, and that he had offered Svyrydenko a new role leading "relations with a key partner", without elaborating.

Svyrydenko previously represented Ukraine in negotiations with the United States, when the two were working on a minerals and investment deal, although it was not immediately clear if her new role was related to the country.

In a post on X, Svyrydenko thanked Zelensky for his trust and said she was "ready to serve the Ukrainian state".

Zelensky also proposed "changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies", without going into detail.

- What happens now? -

Cabinet reshuffles require parliamentary approval -- although lawmakers have largely coalesced around Zelensky since Russia's invasion, and do not typically block his agenda.

Zelensky has not named a successor for Svyrydenko.

Among the potential candidates named in Ukrainian media are Sergiy Koretsky, the CEO of Ukraine's state energy firm Naftogaz, as well as former prime minister Denys Shmygal.

The role of prime minister does not typically include a say on military strategy or frontline operations, where Zelensky and his military chiefs call the shots.

K.AbuTaha--SF-PST