Zelenskyy Signs Off on Shmyhal’s Move to Defense Ministry
фото: facebook Д.Шмигаль
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted official documents to the Verkhovna Rada nominating Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal for the post of Minister of Defense.
He announced this in his evening address.
Zelenskyy: Defense Ministry to Oversee Strategic Industries; Push to Increase Domestic Arms Production
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense will now oversee strategic industries. He added that the current head of the Ministry for Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin, will return to lead Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s state defense conglomerate.
“The task is very specific and clear. At present, Ukrainian-made weapons account for about 40% of what is used on the front lines and in all our operations. This is already significantly more than at any other time since our country gained independence. The production volumes are substantial — but more is needed,” Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that the new leadership must increase the share of domestically produced weapons to at least 50% within the first six months, primarily by ramping up national production.
The President expressed confidence in the realistic attainability of these targets.
It was previously reported that on July 16, the Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of Denys Shmyhal from the post of Prime Minister. The entire Cabinet of Ministers automatically resigns.
It should be noted that on July 15, Denys Shmyhal wrote a statement of resignation from the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine.
The day before, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko to head the Cabinet of Ministers.