PM Koretskyi commends Interior Ministry efficiency amid government reshuffle

“Regarding the Ministry of Internal Affairs, based on practical experience – surviving the winter and participating in almost daily conference calls chaired by the president or prime minister – I've seen the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” Koretskyi said. 

“And I highly value the work of the Ministry and of Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko personally. That's my assessment. I believe he's a strong, professional, clear, and effective minister.”

Koretskyi emphasized that nominating a defense minister falls solely within the president's authority.

Koretskyi also believes that the new cabinet can become a "government of defense," citing the necessary political will, internal necessity, and unity.

Ukrainian government re-shuffle

The Ukrainian Parliament dismissed Yulia Svyrydenko as prime minister on July 14. Until a new prime minister is appointed and the cabinet is formed, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal will temporarily lead the government.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted Serhiy Koretskyi’s candidacy for prime minister to the parliament on the evening of July 15. 

Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia confirmed on July 15 that Koretskyi took part in a faction meeting as the prime ministerial candidate and outlined his vision for the Cabinet's work and government structure.

Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak later said Zelenskyy would nominate Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko to replace Fedorov as defense minister.

A parliamentary vote on the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister is expected to take place on July 16. Protests against Fedorov’s dismissal have already begun in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv.

Fedorov shared a summary of what his team had accomplished over his six-month tenure as defense minister, including the integration of Pavlo “Lazar” Yelizarov into the Air Force and the implementation of an After Action Review procedure for every large-scale aerial attack. Fedorov stated that these reforms directly improved Ukraine's defensive capabilities, increasing drone interception rate from 83% to 91% and cruise missile interception rate from 47% to 87%.

A Financial Times journalist reported that Ukraine’s Parliament lacks the necessary votes to confirm Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as the new defense minister, as many lawmakers refuse to support the controversial appointment.