Ukraine replaces PM ahead of European defence industry talks
Ukraine's prime minister resigned as European leaders prepare to outline new defence industrial capacities and steps to cripple Russia's shadow oil fleet.
Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down as Ukraine’s prime minister on Sunday, prompting a cabinet reshuffle that coincides with a major diplomatic push to ramp up Europe's defence output.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was "changing its political strategy" and that Svyrydenko would lead "a new, important area" in relations with a key partner. Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak predicted she would become Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington.
The incoming prime minister could directly shape the country's economic direction. The leading candidate is Serhiy Koretskyi, head of state energy company Naftogaz, which would place Ukraine’s most critical economic asset under direct government control. Other possible successors include Svyrydenko’s predecessor, Denys Shmyhal, who is currently energy minister, and Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The political overhaul occurs against a backdrop of severe institutional strain. Over the past year, Ukraine was shaken by its largest corruption scandal, which forced out the head of the presidential administration. Zelenskyy also triggered protests in 2025 by moving to strip anti-corruption bodies of their independence before backing down. Maintaining clean governance remains a strict prerequisite for unlocking EU financial aid.
Energy warfare disrupts regional shipping
While Kyiv restructures its government, its military is pressuring Russian logistics. A Ukrainian attack hit the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region, while drone strikes have forced Russia to suspend shipping in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine’s drone forces chief, Robert Brovdi, said 90 vessels were targeted in less than a week, with 10 tankers and four ferries hit overnight alongside strikes on Crimean electricity substations.
This maritime pressure will be a central topic when the "coalition of the willing" meets in Paris on Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron said he will use the summit to unveil new defence initiatives and joint exercises. The agenda prioritises tackling Russia’s shadow fleet and deepening the mobilisation of European defence industries, offering a clear signal to arms manufacturers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will attend, with Moldova and North Macedonia newly joining the coalition. The talks follow a NATO summit in Ankara where Donald Trump’s administration promised to license Ukraine to build Patriot air defence missiles.
The diplomatic momentum comes days after the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham at 71. Before his death, Graham announced an agreement with the Trump administration on a new package of Russian sanctions. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed four Ukrainian civilians over the weekend, while Russian officials reported four deaths in Ukrainian strikes on occupied Zaporizhzhia.
