Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his intention to nominate current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as the new defense minister, emphasizing the importance of Shmyhal's experience during the ongoing war.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy stated that Shmyhal's extensive experience would be critical in the role of Minister of Defense, highlighting the significant demands and responsibilities in the area of defense as the nation navigates its current challenges. Zelenskyy expressed confidence in Shmyhal's ability to manage the country's resources effectively in his new position.

Zelenskyy also revealed plans to appoint Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister, acknowledging her achievements in enhancing Ukrainian production and entrepreneurship. He urged for parliamentary support for the proposed government restructuring, emphasizing the need for an audit of agreements with international partners to identify areas for improvement.

The proposed changes come after Zelenskyy's recent discussions with Shmyhal and Svyrydenko, focusing on restructuring governance to reduce bureaucracy, increase defense production, and reallocate resources to support the war effort.

Shmyhal, who has held the position of prime minister since March 2020, was recently speculated in media reports as a possible successor to Oksana Markarova as Ukraine's ambassador to the United States.