KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday approved the appointment of a new foreign minister, two lawmakers said, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought to breathe new life into his government with the war against Russia, which is about to enter a decisive phase.
Andrii Sybiha, a former ambassador to Turkey, is the country’s new chief diplomat. He replaced Dmytro Kulebawho became one of Ukraine’s most recognizable faces on the international stage as he pleaded with Western countries to support Ukraine’s war efforts.
Sybiha, 49, has been working as Kuleba’s deputy since April.
Zelenskyy wants to replace nearly a dozen top officials in his government biggest government reform since the large-scale invasion of Russia in early 2022. Other possible new faces included the heads of strategic industries, agriculture and justice.
The changes require parliamentary approval, Ukrainian lawmakers Yaroslav Zhelezniak and Oleksii Honcharenko confirmed the vote to The Associated Press.
Zelenskyy said on Wednesday about the reshuffle that Ukraine needs “new energy.”
The war, which has been going on for more than 900 days, is about to enter an important period.
We are likely to face a harsh winter that will test the country’s resolve. Ukraine’s electricity grid is under heavy pressure after Russian missiles and drones knocked out about 70% of the country’s generating capacity. That could mean we’ll be without heat and water.
On the battlefield, Ukraine waits to see whether the military will take a gamble with its surprise attack on Russia. Kursk Border Area a month ago is paying off. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers with fewer weapons are gradually being pushed back by Russia’s months-long advance deeper into eastern Ukraine, and Ukrainian civilians are at Russia’s mercy deadly long-range air strikes.
The list of victims of an attack on Tuesday on a military training school in Poltava grew to 55 dead and 328 wounded, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry reported Thursday. A search and rescue operation continued.
No major policy changes are expected under the new government. Zelenskyy’s five-year term expired in May, but he remains in power under martial law, and his leadership is largely unchallenged.
Sybiha, the new foreign minister who previously also worked in the president’s office, takes on the role as Ukraine tries to prevent war weariness from undermining Western engagement.
Authorities in Kiev will also have to deal with the outcome of the US elections in November, which could lead to major policy changes in Washington.
At the top of Ukraine’s wish list now are more Western air defense systems and permission from its Western partners to use their weapons to strike targets on Russian soil. Some Western leaders are reluctant to grant those, fearing an escalation that could drag them into the fight.
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