Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister step down

Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, and Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Denys Shmyhal, have stepped down from their positions.

The Chair of the Verkhovna Rada - Ukraine’s unicameral parliament and highest legislative authority - Ruslan Stefanchuk said both resignation statements have been submitted to the legislature. He noted that the Rada will review the resignations in accordance with established procedures in the near future.

The Verkhovna Rada is scheduled to consider their dismissal on Tuesday, while their appointments to new positions are expected to be reviewed on Wednesday.

Last Friday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the nomination of Fedorov for the post of Minister of Defence. The following day, Defence Minister Shmyhal was nominated for the positions of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy. The President highlighted the need for a systemic approach to protecting the energy sector.