Cabinet Reshuffle Amid War, President Zelensky: We Need New Energy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday Ukraine needed a "new energy" when he ordered a massive cabinet reshuffle at a crucial point in the fight against Russia.

Six ministers, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, have submitted their resignations, with parliament having accepted the resignation of four of them.

The list includes deputy prime minister in charge of European integration, the minister of strategic industry overseeing the production of Ukrainian weapons and two other ministers, lawmakers said.

"We need new energy today, and these measures are only related to strengthening our country in various directions," President Zelensky said.

Members of parliament said they were expected to consider the resignation of Foreign Minister Kuleba on Thursday.

After President Zelensky, Foreign Minister of Kuleba (43) was Ukraine's best known face abroad, meeting with leaders around the world, lobbying for military and political support in fluent English.

Analysts say the government's reshuffle has been planned for a long time. However, it was postponed as President Zelensky focused on talks with Western partners throughout the summer to secure military and financial aid.

"This is a reshuffle of personnel planned from the government," said Volodymyr Fesenko, a Kyiv-based political analyst.

"Sekarang setengah dari pemerintahan akan diperbarui. Ini adalah gaya (Presiden) Zelensky. Ia percaya bahwa menteri baru membawa energi baru, pendekatan baru, bekerja lebih aktif. Ia mengharapkan efek ini," urai Fesenko.

Fesenko did not expect a major foreign policy change after Kuleba's expected dismissal.

President Zelensky is expected to nominate his candidate for the new foreign minister on Wednesday, with first deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha becoming one of the strong candidates.

Separately, the Kremlin said changing governments in Ukraine would not affect the peace negotiations in any way, although such talks looked like far-reaching prospects, as the two warring sides were far different in their goals.

The next few months are key to President Zelensky, as he seeks to gain more support from the West and reclaim the initiative in the war with Russia, following the February 2022 invasion.

Analysts say, with President Zelensky's limited human resources, they expect some ministers who will step down to be reappointed to new posts.

Strategic Industry Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, who will step down, who oversees Ukraine's surge in domestic weapons production, said on Tuesday he would remain in the defense sector in different roles.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said parliament would continue to consider resignations and appointments on Thursday. For now, 10 of the 21 vacant ministerial positions.

"Tomorrow (today) the ministerial cabinet will be reorganized, as planned," he wrote in the Telegram messaging application.