Ukrainian parliament approves new prime minister, lawmakers say

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FILE PHOTO: Yulia Anatoliivna Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, is seen at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 23, 2025. Ukraines parliament voted on July 17, 2025 to appoint Yulia Svyrydenko as the countrys new prime minister REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

KYIV - Ukraines parliament voted on Thursday to appoint Yulia Svyrydenko as the countrys new prime minister, lawmakers said on social media.

According to several lawmakers, 262 of them voted for Svyrydenko, a comfortable majority in the 450-seat parliament. Ukraines parliament does not broadcast its sessions in wartime.

Her appointment was supported by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as part of his biggest government reshuffle since Russias invasion began in February 2022.

Svyrydenko, 39, has served as economy minister and one of Ukraines deputy prime ministers since November 2021.

A photograph of the electronic vote table in the chamber posted by another lawmaker, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, showed 22 votes against her appointment and 26 abstentions.

Parliament is also expected to vote through the appointment of outgoing PM Denys Shmyhal, who served for more than five years in the role, as defence minister.

Zelenskiy said he wanted his reshuffled cabinet to focus on deregulation, expanding economic co-operation with allies, and stronger punishments for those who threatened Ukraines statehood and stole Ukraines potential.

Svyrydenko has experience working with top officials in Washington, having negotiated and signed a deal with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in April