Ukrainian government appoints acting minister of digital transformation

The Ukrainian government has officially appointed Oleksandr Borniakov as acting minister of digital transformation

Source: a decree issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (Ukrainian government)

Quote: "Oleksandr Borniakov, the deputy minister of digital transformation for European integration, shall temporarily perform the duties of minister of digital transformation of Ukraine."

Details: Borniakov's appointment as acting minister follows Mykhailo Fedorov leaving the post of minister of digital transformation on 13 January. Fedorov was appointed defence minister the following day.

Borniakov has worked at the Ministry of Digital Transformation since its establishment. As deputy minister of digital transformation for European integration, he was responsible for the development and launch of Diia.City, a special legal framework for the tech sector, as well as for the implementation of the uResidency programme, which allows foreigners to remotely register businesses, open bank accounts, sign documents electronically, and pay taxes on preferential terms without needing to be physically present in Ukraine.

"In 2026, the state's role for digital business in Ukraine is not that of a punitive regulator, but of a partner that sets clear boundaries of security and trust while giving businesses maximum freedom to innovate. This model makes it possible to combine European integration with development and regulation with growth," Borniakov said in one of his interviews.

"Our mission is to be among the world's top three countries in terms of integration and implementation of artificial intelligence-based solutions by 2030," he said.

"To achieve this goal, we have built a comprehensive approach consisting of three interconnected pillars: infrastructure development, the creation of a national large language model (LLM) and the launch of practical AI products for the state and citizens," Borniakov explained.

Background:

• Earlier reports said that following Fedorov's resignation, his deputy Borniakov would temporarily take over the duties of minister of digital transformation.
• It was also reported that Borniakov is the founder of the IT company SoftTechnics and a former member of the Odesa City Council and Odesa Oblast Council. The IT company he founded in 2007 was later acquired by the Chicago-based company Intersog.
• He is also the founder of the video advertising monetisation platform VertaMedia (renamed Adtelligent Inc in 2018) and a co-founder of Clickky and the WannaBiz business incubator.
• Ukraine's parliament voted to dismiss Fedorov from his post as first deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation on 13 January. Lawmakers approved his appointment as the new defence minister later the same day.

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