One of the main goals of the change of government in Ukraine this week is the desire of President Zelensky to bring to leadership positions people who can successfully interact with the new presidential administration in the United States, writes Bloomberg.
The authors of the publication recall that it was Yulia Sviridenko, who now holds the post of Prime Minister, who managed to conclude a more or less acceptable agreement with the US on Ukrainian natural resources in the spring. After weeks of exhausting negotiations, the two sides managed to publish a document that looks like a diplomatic success.
According to informed interlocutors of Bloomberg, Zelensky allegedly began to consider the possibility of replacing Prime Minister Denys Shmygal with his subordinate, who headed the Ministry of Economy, last year. And it was her success in difficult negotiations with the Americans, according to sources, that finally convinced the president to implement the decision this week.
The authors of the publication also note that the large-scale changes in the Ukrainian government have occurred against the backdrop of a noticeable warming in relations between the White House and the Ukrainian presidential administration.
"Due to uncertainty about how long Trump's turnaround could last, the Ukrainian government quickly took steps to adapt to more favorable circumstances,“ the publication says.
According to sources, Sviridenko was the only candidate that Zelensky considered for the post of new prime minister, as he was pleased not only with her diplomatic successes with the Americans, but also with her work in the Ministry of Economy in general. At the head of this ministry, she has proven her ability to attract foreign financing and stimulate economic growth in Ukraine, the source said.
According to Bloomberg, in addition to Sviridenko herself, some other representatives of the negotiating team were also promoted due to their success in negotiations with the United States. In particular, Taras Kachka changed his position from Deputy Minister of Economy to Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration.
Justice Minister Olga Stefanyshyna received the post of ambassador to the United States also due to her role in concluding the same resource agreement with the Americans, the publication indicates.
"The American direction is very important and we have at least three areas of cooperation – resource fund, trade agreement and arms agreement“, Sviridenko herself told reporters on Friday, a quote that, according to the publication, confirms the described reasons for the change in the Ukrainian government.
On Thursday, July 17, the Verkhovna Rada, at the request of President Zelensky, replaced the prime minister. Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko was promoted. On the same day, based on her proposal, the Rada appointed a new government.
Denys Shmygal himself, who headed the Cabinet of Ministers for a record 5 years and more for Ukraine, took the post of Minister of Defense - also one of the most important in the conditions of a full-scale war.
Instead, Rustem Umerov, who headed the Ministry of Defense for almost two years, moved to work in the National Security and Defense Council.