Zelenskiy orders major military overhaul to give Ukraine 'new power' via Reuters

Written by Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Ukraine needed “new energy”, as he ordered major government changes in a critical state of war with Russia.

A total of six ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, submitted their resignation papers and the parliament accepted the resignation of four.

It includes the resignation of the deputy prime minister in charge of European integration, the minister of strategic industries in charge of arms production in Ukraine and two other ministers, the lawyers said.

“We need new energy today, and these measures are only related to the strengthening of our state in different ways,” Zelenskiy told reporters during a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

The lawyers said that it is expected that the parliament will consider Leba's resignation on Thursday.

After Zelenskiy, 43-year-old Kuleba has been Ukraine's best-known face overseas, meeting with leaders around the world and lobbying for military and political support in fluent English.

Analysts say the government reshuffle had been planned for a long time but was delayed because Zelenskiy was focused on talks with Kyiv's Western allies over the summer for military and financial aid.

“This is a program to reform the government,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, a Kyiv-based political analyst.

“Now part of the government will be renewed. This is Zelenskiy's style. He believes that the new minister brings new energy, new methods, works hard. He really expects this result.”

NO CHANGE IN FOREIGN POLICY

Fesenko did not expect a major change in foreign policy following the expected dismissal of Kuleba.

Zelenskiy is expected to name his successor as the new foreign minister on Wednesday, and first deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is one of the frontrunners.

The Kremlin has said that the government changes in Ukraine will not interfere with the peace talks process in any way, even though such talks appear to be a long way off between the two warring factions who are very different in their goals.

The next few months are crucial for Zelenskiy as he seeks to win more support from the West and regain the initiative for war with Russia, after its February 2022 attack.

Later this month Zelenskiy is going to the United States, where he hopes to present a “winning plan” to US President Joe Biden, who is an important ally.

Russian troops advanced in eastern Ukraine while Ukrainian troops boldly entered the Kursk region.

Moscow has stepped up drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, while Kyiv launched a series of aerial attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over the weekend.

On Tuesday, at least 50 people, including soldiers, were killed by two missiles in the Ukrainian city of Poltava in the deadliest attack in the war this year.

Analysts say Zelenskiy's competence is limited and expect the outgoing ministers to be reappointed to new posts.

Export Industry Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, who was responsible for a jump in domestic arms production in Ukraine, said on Tuesday that he will remain in the defense sector in a different role.

Lawyer Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that the parliament will continue to consider the resignation and appointment of people on Thursday. Currently, 10 of the 21 ministerial posts were vacant.

“Tomorrow the cabinet of ministers will be reorganized, as planned,” he wrote on the Telegram messaging system.