Ukraine's Budanov tipped as defence minister, official says

Ukraine's outgoing Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko is expected to become head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, while current office chief Kirill Budanov is set to be appointed defence minister, according to a Ukrainian lawmaker.

Verkhovna Rada Deputy Olga Vasilevskaya-Smaglyuk announced the planned appointments in a post on her Telegram channel, Caliber.Az reports.

"Sviridenko is taking over as head of the [Volodymyr Zelenskyy's] office, while Kirill Budanov will head the Ministry of Defence," she wrote.

Earlier, President Zelenskyy announced his intention to dismiss Sviridenko's government as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

Ukraine's parliament is scheduled to vote on the dismissal of the government on July 14, while the appointment of new ministers is planned for July 16.

By Sabina Mammadli