Chentsov likely to replace Kachka as Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration

The sources stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to replace the official primarily responsible for European integration. Career diplomat Vsevolod Chentsov, who currently serves as Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the European Union, is slated to step into the role, European Pravda wrote.

Chentsov has specialized in European affairs for nearly 20 years of his career. While he maintains a low public profile, he is highly regarded by European integration officials, and President Zelenskyy reportedly views his candidacy favorably.

European Pravda noted that Chentsov was considered for the post of Deputy Prime Minister last year. President Zelenskyy personally interviewed him at the time, but he was ultimately bypassed due to a demand by First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

“While Taras Kachka is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable politician on European integration within the current government team, Vsevolod Chentsov is widely considered the most authoritative active diplomat within the Foreign Ministry regarding European affairs,” European Pravda wrote.

Should these changes occur, Taras Kachka may relocate to Brussels. However, Chentsov has not yet been interviewed – primarily with the Prime Minister – and the final decision could still change depending on upcoming political consultations, the outlet’s sources clarified.

RBC-Ukraine previously reported that four ministers are expected to be absent from the upcoming government, which will likely be headed by the current CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine Serhiy Koretsky.

The ministers include:

• Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi
• Veteran Affairs Minister Natalia Kalmykova
• Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Territorial Development Minister Oleksii Kuleba
• Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka

Ukraine's government shake-up

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming changes to the government on July 12 and offered Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko a different position. Svyrydenko confirmed she would step down as prime minister.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated that potential candidates for the prime minister's post include current Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and Sergii Koretskyi, chairman of the board of Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz. 

Intefax-Ukraine reported that Svyrydenko had been expected to become ambassador to the United States, replacing Olha Stefanishyna, who had requested to end her diplomatic service for personal reasons. Zheleznyak also said the change in ambassadors to the United States was "somewhat of a forced move".

Suspilne, however, reported on July 14 that Svyrydenko had not accepted Zelensky's proposal to become ambassador, though she has not formally declined the offer.

The Verkhovna Rada approved Svyrydenko's resignation as prime minister later that day.