logo
Svyrydenko Takes Helm As PM In Move To Drive Ukraine's War Effort And US Ties

Svyrydenko Takes Helm As PM In Move To Drive Ukraine's War Effort And US Ties

This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Ukrainian lawmakers have approved Yulia Svyrydenko, the economy minister and first deputy prime minister who led talks with the United States on a critical minerals deal, as prime minister in a cabinet shuffle aimed at boosting relations with Washington and breathing new life into the war-torn country.
Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, easily gave its approval to the move on July 17, with 262 deputies in the 450-seat legislature voting in favor of Svyrydenko, compared to 22 against and 26 abstentions among those present.
Svyrydenko, an economist, is well known in Washington after her prominent role in clinching the minerals agreement. The 39-year-old replaces Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history.
In subsequent voting, Shmyhal was appointed to head the Defense Ministry as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looked to boost domestic weapons production with the war sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion, which is now well into its fourth year.
Minutes before his nomination was approved, Shmyhal told the Ukrainian parliament that the country's armed forces need a system 'oriented toward the Ukrainian soldier,' providing each with all the necessary means.
When nominated earlier this week, Svyrydenko said her top priority was 'ensuring the defense and security forces of Ukraine and guaranteeing the stability of our state.'
'The state apparatus has no right to waste the resources and potential of our country,' she added.
As much as Zelenskyy's moves are aimed at reinvigorating Ukraine's war efforts, the shuffle is seen as an attempt by the president to boost the flow of communication and cooperation with the White House.
Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's foreign minister who had participated in a number of talks with US representatives, was reappointed to his position. However, Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, has left her post.
Instead, Zelenskyy nominated Olha Stefanishyna, the former head of Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration efforts. Her nomination came as a surprise, as Zelenskyy had also previously mentioned outgoing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as a possible successor.
Zelenskyy added that Stefanishyna will serve as a special envoy to the US until her candidacy as ambassador is approved in Washington.
Markarova, a financier and diplomat, angered members of the Republican Party when she helped organize Zelenskyy's visit to an arms plant in the hometown of then-incumbent President Joe Biden, which was accompanied by Democratic lawmakers.
A series of events going back to 2019, including an impeachment trial triggered by a phone call with Zelenskyy in July of that year, had soured Trump on Ukraine and Washington's full support for Kyiv is seen as far from assured.
In a post on Telegram right after the July 17 parliamentary session, Zelenskyy announced that adjustments to Ukraine's diplomatic staff would continue the following week. 'We are preparing changes together with the foreign minister,' he added.
Minerals Deal
Svyrydenko, who was appointed as economic development and trade minister and first deputy prime minister in 2021, played a lead role in negotiations with the United States over a deal granting US companies access to Ukraine's valuable minerals and rare earths.
Trump made the deal a cornerstone of his policy toward Ukraine, saying the United States needed to be reimbursed for its aid to the country, which has totaled about $175 billion since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Svyrydenko flew to Washington in April to sign an agreement with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that sets up the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. Under the agreement, the United States has the right to share in the profits from new Ukrainian minerals and energy projects.
Trump touted the agreement as ensuring US interests in Ukraine's defense and reconstruction.
With Trump voicing frustration over a lack of progress in peace talks Russia, Ukraine is looking to use the opportunity to solidify agreements on weapons and other support from the White House.
Trump this week announced he would be selling weapons to NATO for further transfer to Ukraine — his biggest show of support for the country since taking office in January.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also revealed that he and Trump have discussed a 'mega deal' involving the United States purchasing Ukrainian-made drones for its own use.
The Ukrainian president said in an interview with the New York Post on July 17 that his latest talks with Trump had centered on a potential drone deal, with Kyiv offering battlefield expertise and drone technology in exchange for deeper US defense cooperation.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Democrats desperately look for a redistricting edge in California, New York and Maryland
Democrats desperately look for a redistricting edge in California, New York and Maryland

Politico

time11 minutes ago

  • Politico

Democrats desperately look for a redistricting edge in California, New York and Maryland

Hochul's political allies believe there is little upside to drawing new lines. 'I understand those in New York who are watching what's happening in Texas and Ohio want to offset their unfair advantage,' said New York Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs. But 'the constitution seems pretty clear that this redistricting process should be done every 10 years. I don't know where someone could interpret it as something you can do every two years.' Beyond Texas, Republicans have their eye on picking up seats in other states like Missouri and Florida — which would put Democrats in a tough spot, given they don't have as much leeway to squeeze out extra seats. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy was noncommittal when asked by reporters earlier this week if he plans to pursue redistricting, noting that it's 'too early to make any definitive statement about it.' But he echoed what many other Democrats across the country have said when talking about the possibility of early redistricting: 'Never bring a knife to a gunfight.' New Jersey has its own constitutional impediment, which states that congressional districts, which are drawn by an independent commission, 'shall remain unaltered through the next year ending in zero in which a federal census for this State is taken.' Even if they were able to circumvent the state constitution, Democrats already have the majority in the New Jersey congressional delegation, and just two seats — the 7th, held by Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., and the 9th, held by Democratic Rep. Nellie Pou — are considered battlegrounds. Even some other Hail Mary options seem off the table. State lawmakers in Washington, Minnesota and Colorado balked at the suggestion they should pursue drawing new maps in the next few months. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, accompanied by several members of the Texas state Legislature, calls for a new way for California to redraw it's voting districts during a news conference In Sacramento, Calif., Friday July 25, 2025. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP 'It's just not in the cards,' said Washington House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, citing the requirement that a two-thirds majority is needed in both the state House and Senate to reconvene the state's bipartisan redistricting commission. And Minnesota State Sen. Aric Nesbitt shut down the idea quickly: 'We're not power-crats, we're Democrats. We should do things that improve democracy, even if that means sometimes we don't get our way.' Democrats hold the governorship and state Senate in Minnesota, but Republicans narrowly control the House.

Judge throws out federal suit on Illinois, Chicago sanctuary policies
Judge throws out federal suit on Illinois, Chicago sanctuary policies

UPI

time2 hours ago

  • UPI

Judge throws out federal suit on Illinois, Chicago sanctuary policies

Chicago police officers watch as activists take to the streets for a May Day protest on May 1 to voice concerns on Trump administration's policies, including immigration. May 1 is also known as International Workers Day. File photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo July 26 (UPI) -- A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Illinois, Cook County and Chicago sanctuary policies that ban assisting in immigration-related matters. On Friday, District Judge Lindsay Jenkins in Chicago dismissed the entire lawsuit, writing the U.S. Department of Justice lacked standing, though she allowed lawyers to amend their lawsuit by Aug. 22. Jenkins, who serves the Northern District of Illinois, was appointed by President Joe Biden. Illinois is a blue state with a Democratic governor, Chicago mayor and Cook County state's attorney. Chicago is located in Cook County. In the lawsuit filed in February, the DOJ accused the governments of blocking federal immigration law based on the 10th Amendment, which deals with state and federal powers. DOJ hasn't yet publicly said whether there would be an appeal. The Department of Homeland Security has increased deportation raids, particularly in big cities with sanctuary laws. "The Sanctuary Policies reflect Defendants' decision to not participate in enforcing civil immigration law - a decision protected by the Tenth Amendment and not preempted by [the federal Immigration and Nationality Act]," Jenkins wrote in the 64-page ruling. "Finding that these same Policy provisions constitute discrimination or impermissible regulation would provide an end-run around the Tenth Amendment. It would allow the federal government to commandeer States under the guise of intergovernmental immunity - the exact type of direct regulation of states barred by the Tenth Amendment." In their lawsuit, DOJ lawyers said sanctuary cities violate the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause. In 2017, then Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed the 2017 Trust Act, which prohibits state and local law enforcement from involvement in separation efforts with U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement, as well as other federal agencies. The law allows coordination among agencies. A state law in 2021 prohibits local and state officialsgiving a person's custody status, release date or contact information with federal immigration officials. Raunere was succeeded by J.B. Pritzker, who testified last month to a U.S. House committee about sanctuary policies. He was also named in the suit. "Illinois ensures law enforcement time and energy is spent fighting crime - not carrying out the Trump administration's unlawful policies or troubling tactics," Pritzker spokesman Matt Hill said in a statement. "As the grandchild of Ukrainian refugees, the Governor's personal story shows how immigration is central to America's story, economy and culture. He told it to Congress when he laid out how Illinois follows the law and would like the feds to follow suit." Pritzker posted on X that "Illinois just beat the Trump Administration in federal court. Their case challenging the bipartisan TRUST Act was dismissed -- unlike the President, we follow the law and listen to the courts." Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul noted in 1997 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal officials may not "impress into its service - and at no cost to itself -- the police officers of the 50 States." In 1985, then-Chicago Mayor Harold Washington signed an executive order declaring it a sanctuary city. In 2006, Chicago enacted the Welcoming City ordinance, which allows all residents to obtain city services, including police protection and medical care. "We will continue to fight for the dignity of our immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities and stand up for the rights of all Chicagoans against any federal overreach," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who was named in the suit, said in a statement to WLS-TV. The federal lawsuit also targeted Cook County, which bans ICE agents from the county jail or other places unless they have a criminal warrant not relayed to immigration. "The Trump administration's continued attempts to bully local communities into adopting their preferred policies are not only unlawful, but counter to our values and ability to fight crime effectively," Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke said in a statement. "We need victims and witnesses of crime to feel comfortable coming forward, just as we are compelled to hold those who commit crimes accountable." The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois said in the statement that the court "was correct to reject the Trump Administration's lawsuit and to allow public officials in Illinois and Chicago to follow our policies that prioritize local public safety and welfare over federal civil immigration enforcement." Trump in an executive order on Jan. 25 stripped sanctuary cities of all federal funding. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced her agency was filing a civil lawsuit against state of New York over immigration enforcement. "This is a new DOJ. We are taking steps to protect American citizens," she said with federal agents behind her. "As you know, we sued Illinois, and New York didn't listen ... you're next." Lawsuits also have been filed against California and New Jersey. There are 13 sanctuary states, including New York and Illinois. In addition, there are sanctuary cities outside them, including Atlanta; Louisville, Ky.; Baltimore; and New Orleans as well as several designated counties. None are in Texas or Arizona, which border Mexico. The other two border states, New Mexico and California, have sanctuary laws.

Rick Scott summons NYers to Florida with sky-high advertisement
Rick Scott summons NYers to Florida with sky-high advertisement

New York Post

time2 hours ago

  • New York Post

Rick Scott summons NYers to Florida with sky-high advertisement

Florida Congressman Rick Scott wants New Yorkers wary of life in the Big Apple under a potential Zohran Mandani administration to know they've got options. On Saturday, an aerial advertisement with Scott's logo crossed the skies high above Coney Island, encouraging beachgoers to consider a relocation to the humid, hurricane-prone home of at least five varieties of venomous snake, should the leftist New York City mayoral front-runner win in November. 'Hate socialism?' read the banner ad. 'Us too! Move to FL.' 4 The aeriel banner was financed by Sen. Rick Scott. Michael Nagle 4 Scott's current term ends on January 3, 2031. Getty Images Scott's airplaned pitch follows recent Times Square digital billboard ads paid for by the Ohio Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's Vivek Super PAC, which supports the biotech entrepreneur-turned-failed presidential candidate's bid to govern the Buckeye State. 4 A spokesperson for Scott's office was unavailable Saturday. Michael Nagle 4 Zohran Mamdani is favored to win his mayoral bid this fall. Getty Images It was unclear how much the flying ad cost Scott, but on average, aerial advertising in New York City runs between $7,000 and $9,000 for a two-hour flight, according to DashTwo. A representative from Scott's office was not available to comment Saturday. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist who won the mayoral Democratic primary last month, is considered the frontrunner for City Hall.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store