Kyiv appoints acting defence, foreign ministers in Cabinet shake-up

Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has appointed Yevhen Khmara as Acting Minister of Defence and Andrii Sybiha as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, while launching a broader reorganization of the country's ministerial structure, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced.

The appointments, made in coordination with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are intended to ensure continuity in two of the government's most critical portfolios, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

"In coordination with the President, the government appointed Yevhen Khmara as acting Minister of Defence and Andrii Sybiha as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is important to maintain continuity of work in the areas of defence and foreign policy," Koretskyi said.

The prime minister also announced the start of a restructuring of several ministries in line with decisions adopted by Ukraine's parliament.

"We are restoring the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, creating a separate Ministry for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons. We have delineated the areas of economy and environment and recovery, as well as infrastructure and transport," Koretskyi said.

The government said the changes are aimed at streamlining the executive branch and improving the management of key policy areas as Ukraine continues to address wartime challenges and post-war recovery planning.

By Vafa Guliyeva