Denys Shmyhal in Paris, December 13, 2022. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, January 3, proposed moving his current Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal into the role of energy minister, the latest in a widening reshuffle of cabinet positions. The Ukrainian leader did not explain why he was making the changes, which come at a critical juncture in the nearly four-year war with Russia.
Shmyhal had only started working in the defense role last July. Zelensky hopes to replace him with 34-year-old digital transformation minister Mikhailo Fedorov – a relative political novice who is little-known to the Ukrainian public.
The appointments require approval from parliament, though it has largely coalesced around Zelensky since Russia’s invasion and is unlikely to torpedo his decisions.
Announcing Saturday’s decision in a post on X, Zelensky said he hoped Shmyhal would use his “systematic” approach to the defense role in the energy portfolio. “I am counting on parliamentary support,” he said.
Zelensky separately announced a new chief of staff on Friday, after his previous top aide resigned in November over a corruption scandal.