Ukraine's parliament has approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defence minister, cementing a key leadership change as Kyiv navigates wartime priorities and a broader government reorganisation.
Lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada backed Khmara's appointment with a comfortable majority, formally placing him in charge of the Defence Ministry after he had served as acting minister since July.
The vote also confirmed Andriy Sybiha's return as foreign minister, completing appointments to two of the most important positions in Ukraine's government.
Khmara takes over the ministry following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov during a cabinet reshuffle ordered by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month.
Before assuming the role on an interim basis, Khmara held a senior security position as acting head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). His background in intelligence and national security is expected to shape his approach as Ukraine continues to face major military and strategic challenges in its war with Russia.
His appointment received strong backing in parliament, reflecting broad support within the governing coalition for the leadership transition.
Following the vote, Khmara took the official oath of office in the parliamentary chamber.
Parliament also voted to reinstate Andriy Sybiha as foreign minister after he had temporarily led the ministry following the reshuffle in July.
Sybiha is already a familiar figure in Ukrainian diplomacy and has played a prominent role in Kyiv's engagement with Western allies and international organisations throughout the conflict.
His confirmation brings continuity to Ukraine's diplomatic leadership as the country remains heavily reliant on international military, financial and political support.
Like Khmara, Sybiha was formally sworn into office after lawmakers approved his nomination.
The appointments are part of a broader restructuring of Ukraine's government that has unfolded in recent weeks.
The changes have coincided with growing debate over governance, political accountability and the country's long-term future as the war continues.
That discussion intensified after former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Ukraine should consider holding elections even during the conflict. He also warned that corruption remained a serious challenge and described it as a sign of deeper systemic problems within the country's governance structures.
Fedorov's remarks have added a political dimension to an already intense debate over accountability, reform and the future of Ukraine's state institutions.
For President Zelenskyy's administration, the parliamentary confirmations remove uncertainty over two critical ministries responsible for defence and foreign policy.
With Khmara now formally overseeing the country's defence portfolio and Sybiha continuing to direct Ukraine's diplomatic efforts, the government is seeking to maintain stability at the highest levels while pursuing its military objectives and sustaining crucial international partnerships.
The appointments come as questions over governance and political reform remain firmly in focus. Ukrainian authorities maintain that wartime conditions make elections difficult, while Fedorov's comments have intensified debate over political accountability and the country's future direction.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
The United States is deepening its security and economic engagement in Latin America, with Secretary of State M...
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at leas...
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Seven Indonesian airports, including two serving Jakarta, remained closed early on Monday morning because of volcanic ash from eruptions at Mount Anak Krakatau, the transport minister said. One other airport in South Sumatra has been reopened.
Passengers were killed in an overnight Russian strike on a border checkpoint between Ukraine and Moldova, Ukraine's border guard service has said. Meanwhile, Kyiv hit a Russian oil terminal in the southern Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, Ukrainian media reported.
Wildfires have broken out in Türkiye’s Antalya province, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate as strong winds fuelled the flames.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the strikes a response to a U.S. attack on five Iranian tankers.
Five people, including four healthcare workers, were killed when a government-operated medical helicopter crashed in Malaysia's eastern Sarawak state, authorities said.
The United States is deepening its security and economic engagement in Latin America, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that Peru will join the Americas Shield, a regional initiative designed to strengthen cooperation against transnational criminal networks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment