Ukrainian parliament appoints Andrii Sybiha as foreign minister
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) has appointed acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Source: parliamentary session on 19 August
Details: The decision was supported by 266 MPs.
Quote from Sybiha: "We are at a decisive stage of the war. A stage at which diplomacy in particular is taking on special significance. This places a special responsibility on all of us... There is nothing more important than ending the war. Much has been done over the past year... But as long as the war continues... We work together, because there is strength in unity."
Details: Sybiha also added that he views the appointment as "an enormous challenge and an enormous responsibility".
Following the vote, Sybiha also took the oath of office.
Background:
- On 12 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Cabinet of Ministers needed to be reshuffled and announced changes to the leadership of law enforcement agencies. On 14 July, the Verkhovna Rada approved the resignation of Yuliia Svyrydenko as prime minister. As a result, the entire government resigned.
- The dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which many people considered unjustified, has sparked public discontent. Since 16 July, protests demanding Fedorov's reinstatement have been held almost daily in many cities across the country.
- On 17 July, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Yevhenii Khmara as acting defence minister and Andrii Sybiha as acting foreign minister.
- On 18 August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted motions to parliament to appoint Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister and Andrii Sybiha as foreign minister.
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