Who is Yulia Svyrydenko? Ukraine's new PM appointed by Zelensky to lead wartime economic revival

Mint

7 days ago

Ukraine's parliament on Thursday (July 17) approved Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, as the country's new prime minister — the first change at the helm of government in five years — as part of a sweeping cabinet overhaul aimed at revitalising wartime governance.
The move comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky looks to energise Ukraine's military-industrial efforts and tackle a ballooning budget deficit amid a faltering outlook for peace with Russia.
Zelensky laid out key goals for the new administration, including ramping up domestic weapons production to cover 50% of Ukraine's battlefield needs within six months, up from the current 40%.
'We must ensure a reliable supply for the army and increase the technological strength of our defense forces,' he said.
Zelensky also emphasised deregulation and deepening economic ties with allies as central to the government's agenda.
A seasoned technocrat and former first deputy prime minister, Svyrydenko vowed swift action in her new role.
'War leaves no room for delay,' she wrote on X. '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.'
Svyrydenko is no stranger to international diplomacy, having earlier brokered a deal granting the US preferential access to Ukraine's mineral resources— a move that helped strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Zelensky noted that more US deals are in the pipeline, though he offered no details during Thursday's session.
Parliament is expected to confirm outgoing Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as Ukraine's new defence minister, following Zelensky's nomination earlier this week.
Svyrydenko takes charge as Russia intensifies both its ground offensive across a 1,000-km frontline and airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is banking on foreign investment in its defense sector to counter Russia's superior military firepower.
The country also faces pressing fiscal issues, a $19 billion budget shortfall next year as foreign aid wanes.
To address the deficit, Svyrydenko announced plans to launch a comprehensive audit of public finances aimed at achieving "real savings."
Her agenda includes accelerating large-scale privatisations and offering greater support to local entrepreneurs.
The reshuffle extends beyond the prime minister's office. Key ministries including economy, justice, energy, and European integration will also see new leaders, though most are not political outsiders.
Some lawmakers raised concerns over the independence of the new cabinet, suggesting it could remain under tight control from the president's office.
'They will be told by the president's office what they should really do,' said Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the opposition Holos party.
Despite such concerns, Svyrydenko secured 262 votes in the 450-member parliament — a strong mandate, according to lawmakers present in the chamber.