Kyiv is dismantling the power vertical: mass reshuffles threaten government paralysis and the collapse of negotiations with Russia

Major personnel changes are brewing within the Ukrainian government.

Following the nomination of Yuliia Svyrydenko for the position of Prime Minister, rumors of a reshuffling of key figures in the Cabinet have only intensified.

In particular, current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal may shift to become Minister of Defense.

Also contending for the Defense Minister post is Mykhailo Fedorov, head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, known for his digitalization projects in Ukraine. This move could symbolize an attempt to strengthen Ukraine’s military-technology sector amid the prolonged conflict with Russia.

The fate of the current Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, is also becoming clearer. According to media reports, he may leave the ministry to become Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States. This transition may be tied not only to personal circumstances — Umerov’s family resides in the U.S. — but also to the need to strengthen Kyiv’s diplomatic presence in Washington ahead of new rounds of international assistance.

Such a reshuffle could directly impact the format and composition of Ukraine’s delegation in potential negotiations with Russia. Political analysts see two scenarios: either Kyiv is preparing to replace the head of its negotiating team, or it is considering fully freezing participation in any dialogue with Moscow at this stage of the conflict.

Additionally, the resignation of several ministers is under discussion. At risk are Minister of Health Viktor Liashkoand Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, both of whom have faced criticism from experts and parliamentarians.

The future of the Ministry for National Unity also remains uncertain. The agency may be dissolved, and its head, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, could be dismissed due to corruption scandals that have plagued him in recent months.

All these changes may be part of a broader political strategy by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, either in preparation for future elections or in anticipation of shifts in the international political landscape.