Changes in the Government: Zelensky Initiated Rearrangements, Fedorov Could Head the Ministry of Defense
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky proposed new personnel rearrangements at the beginning of 2026. The Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has been offered to head the Ministry of Defense, while other positions in the Cabinet may also undergo changes.
Fedorov’s visit to the president signals his possible readiness to take responsibility for the defense sector. However, for this to happen, the Verkhovna Rada must officially approve Fedorov’s dismissal from his current position. Who will replace him in the Ministry of Digital Transformation remains in question: the current First Deputy Oleksiy Vyskub or one of the deputies, such as Oleksandr Bornyakov, are often mentioned among potential candidates.
Changes in the government are not limited to just the Digital Ministry. It is also expected that the current Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal might move to the position of Minister of Energy. Furthermore, Kyrylo Budanov has become the head of the President’s Office, and Yevhen Khmara has been appointed as the acting head of the SBU.
In case the Verkhovna Rada does not immediately approve the new minister’s candidacy, the government may temporarily appoint one of the deputies as acting minister in accordance with the Cabinet’s resolution. Precedents of instability in ministerial positions have already been noted in the past. Recent cases, such as Artem Nekrasov’s temporary execution of the Minister of Energy’s duties or Lyudmyla Sugak as the Minister of Justice, underscore that decisions may be complicated by internal political struggles.
| Position | Candidate | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Minister of Defense | Mykhailo Fedorov | Awaits Verkhovna Rada’s vote |
| First Deputy Minister | Oleksiy Vyskub | Possible candidate for Minister of Digital Transformation |
| Deputy Minister | Oleksandr Bornyakov | Considered as an alternative |
The situation in the government remains uncertain, and the further development of events will depend on the decisions of the relevant branches of power. Meanwhile, analysts note that any decision is crucial for maintaining stability and continuing the implementation of state priorities in the digital sphere.
