The country “needs new energy” justifies Volodymyr Zelensky

“Some of them have been ministers for five years,” the Ukrainian president said on Wednesday about the major reshuffle that is underway.

This is the most important cabinet reshuffle since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. It is necessary “restore strength” to our institutions, President Volodymyr Zelensky explained on Tuesday, September 3. Several ministers have submitted their resignations, including the high-profile Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmitro Kuleba.

The rumor, which had been swelling in the country for several days, came to fruition on Wednesday. At least six ministers have submitted their resignations. Among them, government heavyweights: the highly respected Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of European Integration. Once the complete list is known, it will be up to the deputies to ratify these resignations.

According to the leader of the Servant of the People party, the political formation of Volodymyr Zelensky, almost half of the current government is expected to be replaced. The appointment of new ministers is expected on Thursday. “We need to strengthen certain sectors of our government”the Ukrainian president said on Tuesday evening, discussing new directions in domestic and foreign policy.

The Prime Minister should remain in place. And above all, in Ukraine, a few men alone decide the country’s major directions: President Zelensky’s inner circle, that is to say his chief of staff, his special adviser, the speaker of Parliament. They have been in charge since the beginning of the war and are not affected by this reshuffle.

Some critical voices denounce the president’s desire to strengthen his grip on major ministries by removing figures who have become too important in the media and politically. Another objective: to give new impetus to issues that are no longer moving forward. With this in mind, the reshuffle would rather be aimed at Western partners. The resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs has been asking them for months for a green light to strike military bases in Russia, using long-range missiles supplied by his allies. He has not succeeded. Volodymyr Zelensky may be hoping that his successor will succeed.