Parliament appoints new Cabinet on July 16 after Svyridenko's resignation

The Verkhovna Rada is preparing for a large-scale reformatting of the government, which will affect several key departments at once and determine the vector of state policy for the coming months.

On July 15, 2026, intensive consultations are underway in the government offices. The Servant of the People faction is meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, and parliamentary committees are finalizing the candidates. The very next day, July 16, deputies plan to vote on the full composition of the new Cabinet of Ministers. The decision to dismiss the previous government headed by Yulia Svyrydenko was made on July 14, and now the country is waiting for a renewed team that must cope with the challenges of wartime, European integration, and economic recovery.

Distribution of ministries: economy, ecology and agricultural sector

One of the most noticeable changes will be the separation of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture. Instead of one department, two separate bodies will appear: the Ministry of Economy and Ecology, headed by the current Oleksiy Sobolev, and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, headed by Taras Vysotsky. This step allows us to focus on the specific tasks of each direction. The economic block will focus on industrial policy, attracting investment and digitalization, while the agrarian department will receive powers regarding food security, grain exports and support for farmers in front-line regions.

Taras Vysotsky, a former deputy minister, is well-versed in the industry. For the past two years, he has coordinated logistics corridors for the export of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea and the Danube. His appointment signals an intention to preserve the export potential of the agricultural sector, which in 2025 provided more than 40 percent of the country's foreign exchange earnings.

Ministry of Community and Territorial Development: division into two departments

Another structural reform concerns the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development. Oleksiy Kuleba will leave his post, and the department itself will be divided into the Ministry of Regions and the Ministry of Infrastructure. The head of the Ministry of Regions will be Vitaliy Bezgin, a member of the Servant of the People party, who has been heading a relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada for several years. His experience in legislative support for decentralization will allow for the acceleration of the restoration of damaged communities.

The position of Minister of Infrastructure is being considered for the heads of regional military administrations. Among the candidates are the head of the Kharkiv OVA, Oleg Synegubov, and the head of the Kyiv OVA, Mykola Kalashnyk. Both have experience working in martial law conditions: Synegubov led the evacuation and reconstruction of Kharkiv after shelling, and Kalashnyk coordinated the capital's logistics and air defense. The choice of the OVA heads emphasizes the desire to combine regional experience with central management.

Retaining key positions: finance, energy, healthcare

Several ministers will remain in their positions. Serhiy Marchenko will continue to lead the Ministry of Finance, Denys Shmyhal the Ministry of Energy, and Viktor Lyashko the Ministry of Health. Retaining these positions ensures continuity in critical areas. Marchenko is responsible for budget execution under martial law, Shmyhal for the stability of the energy system after massive attacks on infrastructure, and Lyashko for medical support for the military and civilians.

New candidates: justice, education and defense

MP Denys Maslov, the current head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy, is set to be appointed to the Ministry of Justice. His candidacy is linked to the need to accelerate judicial reform and adapt legislation to EU standards.

A replacement for Oksen Lisovy is expected at the Ministry of Education. The name of the new minister has not yet been announced, but candidates from the educational community and university representatives are being discussed. The main task will be to continue the reform of school education and integrate Ukrainian institutions into the European educational space.

The decision regarding the Ministry of Defense, currently headed by Mykhailo Fedorov, will be made on the evening of July 15. Among the possible options are Fedorov's transfer to another position or keeping him in charge of the defense department. In parallel, the candidacy of Ruslan Klymenko for this position is being considered.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration: a new figure

Diplomat Vsevolod Chentsov, the current representative of Ukraine to the EU, is applying for the position of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. He will replace Taras Kachka. Chentsov has significant experience in negotiations in Brussels and a good understanding of the decision-making mechanisms in the European Union. His appointment could accelerate the implementation of the European Commission's recommendations on Ukraine's membership.

Candidates for Prime Minister

After the resignation of Yulia Svyrydenko, the final candidate for the post of Prime Minister has not yet been determined. Among the four names being considered are Serhiy Koretsky, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz, Denys Shmyhal, Mykhailo Fedorov, and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. President Zelensky has already met with Koretsky and offered him the position of head of the Cabinet of Ministers. Koretsky has stated his readiness to take on the task.

International context and implications for Ukraine

The government reshuffle comes amid important international developments. On July 15, the European Union approved the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028. At the same time, a trial is underway in the UK over the theft of museum artifacts, and oil prices are rising following the escalation between the US and Iran. These factors affect Ukraine's energy security and budget calculations.

The new Cabinet must demonstrate the ability to make quick decisions in wartime. The division of ministries will allow for a clearer delineation of responsibilities, and the involvement of regional leaders will strengthen the connection between the center and the regions. At the same time, retaining experienced ministers in key areas ensures stability.

Additional meetings with the president will continue throughout July 15. One of the officials of the Servant of the People party noted that the Cabinet's schedule may still change by the evening. The final list of candidates will become known after the faction meeting.

Conclusions and perspectives

The vote on July 16 will determine not only the personal composition of the government, but also the state's ability to respond effectively to current challenges. The division of ministries, new appointments and the retention of key figures form the basis for the next stage of state policy. Ukraine continues its path towards European integration, and the renewed Cabinet of Ministers should become a tool for achieving this goal.