Ukraine’s parliament appointed Yuliia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister on July 17, marking the most significant reshuffle of the government since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Her appointment is aimed at revitalising Kyiv’s wartime leadership as prospects for peace fade and Ukrainians face a brutal Russian summer campaign.

Svyrydenko, 39, secured 262 votes in the 450-seat chamber, according to lawmakers present during the closed wartime session. She becomes Ukraine’s first new prime minister in five years, replacing Denys Shmyhal, who has been nominated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to serve as defence minister.

In her inaugural address, Svyrydenko outlined a sweeping agenda focused on ramping up domestic arms production, streamlining government spending, and accelerating privatisations.

Svyrydenko is a seasoned technocrat who previously served as first deputy prime minister since 2021. She is well known in Washington, where she spearheaded the team in the difficult negotiations to negotiate a critical minerals deal on April 30 with the Trump administration, successfully stripping out many of the more outrageous demands made by the Americans.

Her first order as prime minister was to order the government to “launch a full audit of public spending, aiming for real savings” and focus on “comprehensive deregulation, an end to unlawful pressure on business, acceleration of large-scale privatisation and further implementation of effective support tools.”

President Zelenskiy praised her appointment and called for the new cabinet to increase the share of domestically produced weapons on the battlefield from 40% to 50% within six months. He also highlighted the importance of economic co-operation with international allies and boosting support for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.

Svyrydenko assumes office as Russian forces continue to push along a front line stretching more than 1,000 kilometres, while launching intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Taking to X shortly after her confirmation she said the following:

“It is a great honour for me to lead the Government of Ukraine today.

“Our government sets its course toward a Ukraine that stands firm on its own foundations  –  military, economic and social. My key goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in daily life.

“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 defence forces.

“This same urgency must apply to the economy, as we make every effort to support Ukrainian entrepreneurs.

“In this regard, we need swift and tangible actions – comprehensive deregulation, an end to unlawful pressure on business, acceleration of large-scale privatisation and further implementation of effective support tools.

“The goal is clear: ‘Made in Ukraine’ must become a mark of strength across more goods, more industries and markets.

“Additionally, we have already begun optimising the state apparatus and are launching a full audit of public spending, aiming for real savings.

“No political loyalties – only numbers and real results.

“I am grateful to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for his trust. Grateful to the Parliament for its support. Grateful to Denys Shmyhal and his team for their service.

“We continue – for victory, for recovery, for Ukraine.”