**Title: Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Dismisses Prime Minister Svyrydenko After One Year in Office**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Sunday his intention to replace Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, marking a significant shift in the government after just one year of her leadership. This decision has triggered the resignation of the entire government, as required by Ukrainian law when a prime minister steps down.
In his statement, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for Svyrydenko's contributions during her tenure, acknowledging her "clear, steady, and effective work" as Prime Minister. He noted her previous experience, having served as deputy head of his office and as deputy prime minister responsible for economic development and trade before her appointment as Prime Minister in July 2025. While he did not disclose who would succeed her, he indicated that there would also be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies to align with a new political strategy.
The President's announcement comes amid a backdrop of significant challenges, including ongoing corruption scandals that have plagued Ukraine's government. The most notable of these is the so-called Midas case, which has implicated high-ranking officials, including Zelenskiy’s former business partner, Timur Mindich, and former chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. This scandal involves allegations of a $100 million kickback scheme at Energoatom, the state nuclear power company, raising concerns about the government's ability to combat high-level corruption.
Zelenskiy’s remarks did not elaborate on the reasons for the changes among law enforcement leaders, but the need to restore public confidence in the government’s integrity appears to be a pressing issue. As Ukraine seeks to demonstrate its commitment to tackling corruption to its Western allies, these changes may be seen as an effort to reinforce that message.
Under Ukrainian law, the resignation of the Prime Minister necessitates parliamentary approval and results in the resignation of the entire government. Potential successors to Svyrydenko include Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Serhiy Koretskyi, head of the state energy company Naftogaz. Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak has suggested that Koretskyi may have the strongest chance of being nominated as the new Prime Minister.
There is speculation that Svyrydenko may take on a new role as ambassador to the United States, although this has not been officially confirmed. Currently, Olga Stefanishyna holds the ambassadorial position in Washington.
As Ukraine navigates these political changes, the focus will likely remain on how the new leadership addresses the pressing issues of corruption and governance, as well as the broader implications for the nation’s political landscape.