Recent reports from Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda suggest that President Zelensky may be considering replacing Prime Minister Shmyhal due to a lack of “creative solutions and proposals.” It is rumored that Zelensky is growing tired of Shmyhal’s performance and is seeking a change in leadership within his team.
The potential candidates to replace Shmyhal include Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko and Naftogaz’s Chairman Oleksiy Chernyshov, although concerns have been raised about Chernyshov’s relationship with the director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. The decision to dismiss Shmyhal ultimately rests with the president and requires approval from Ukraine’s parliament.
If Shmyhal is replaced, it would mark the end of his tenure as the longest-serving prime minister in modern Ukrainian history, during which he oversaw the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Regardless of the outcome, the potential shake-up in leadership underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine’s government in navigating political and economic complexities.