Yaroslav Zheleznyak
On July 17, a number of measures regarding reshuffles in the Cabinet of Ministers are planned in the Verkhovna Rada. These include consideration of candidates for the positions of Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Prime Minister, as well as a vote for the new composition of the government.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine today, July 17, begins the formation of a new Cabinet of Ministers after the dismissal of Denys Shmyhal. President Zelenskyy proposed Yulia Svyrydenko for the position of Prime Minister, and also presented candidates for other ministerial portfolios.
President Zelenskyy and Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko will present a list of part of the government at a meeting of the "Servant of the People" faction. Not all personnel decisions may be voted on this week; a meeting is possible on Tuesday, July 22.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a draft law on industrial pollution control, to which an amendment on export duties for soybeans was added. This decision caused a scandal and a verbal altercation between people's deputies due to an attempt to introduce a 10% duty on the export of soybeans and rapeseed.
The resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is being delayed due to a tax law and six military issues. MP Oleksandr Honcharenko calls for blocking the Verkhovna Rada rostrum, while ministers leave the hall.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on the blocking of the Verkhovna Rada rostrum. The reason was an attempt to push through the rejected "soy amendment" bypassing the regulations.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading draft law No. 13439-3, which provides for an increase in security and defense expenditures by UAH 412.4 billion. Additional funds will be covered by increasing budget revenues and domestic borrowings.
The parliamentary committee on state power organization approved the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Next will be a vote in the Verkhovna Rada.
Today, July 16, a meeting of the "Servant of the People" faction will take place, where Yulia Svyrydenko will present candidates for ministerial positions. The appointment of ministers is expected tomorrow, July 17.
The Defense Committee approved the extension of martial law and mobilization until November 5. The decision will come into force on August 7 and will be valid for 90 days.
The Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved a bill on amendments to the State Budget-2025 for financial support of the security and defense sector. The bill provides for the redirection of 10% of Kyiv's corporate income tax to the Reserve Fund of the state budget from August 1 to December 31.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to consider amendments to the state budget, the extension of martial law, and the creation of a Special Tribunal. The dismissal of the Cabinet of Ministers and the approval of a new government composition are also expected.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada draft laws on the extension of martial law and mobilization. The proposal provides for an extension of 90 days.
An alternative bill on changes to the 2025 Budget has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. It is 99.9% identical to the government version, which has already been approved by the committee.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on a scheme of fictitious employment in the National Circus Company, under which 78 men of conscription age went abroad and did not return. Similar cases have been recorded in philharmonic societies and other cultural institutions.
The Verkhovna Rada will vote next plenary week to extend martial law and general mobilization for 90 days. This will be the 16th extension, valid from August 7 to November 5, 2025.
Most surveyed Kyiv residents support the legalization of pornography, but emphasize the need for clear legislative regulation. This initiative received a new wave of attention after the petition of OnlyFans model Svitlana Dvornikova.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the budget declaration for 2026-2028. The document defines the sizes of the subsistence minimum, minimum wage, and expected exchange rates for the next three years.
The submission from the competitive commission regarding the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinsky as the head of the BEB has been submitted to the government. The government has 10 days for the appointment, as reported by People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
The Board of the International Monetary Fund will hold a meeting to make a decision on a new tranche for Ukraine amounting to $487 million. Customs reform is delayed for at least six months.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved amendments to the state budget for 2025, increasing defense and security expenditures by UAH 412 billion. The draft law provides for an increase in budget revenues by UAH 147.5 billion and the attraction of UAH 250 billion in debt operations to finance these changes.
The competition commission has identified Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, the head of the NABU detective unit, as the sole candidate for the position of Director of the Bureau of Economic Security. The government has 10 days to officially appoint him.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov personally arrived at NABU to address rumors of possible procedural actions against him. This happened after information about his summons for a suspicion notice and return from a business trip.
NABU and SAP intend to file charges against Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov on June 23. Documents with the invitation were sent to the Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat on June 19.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko expressed hope that the Verkhovna Rada will vote for changes to the state budget at the next session. The Cabinet of Ministers is preparing a comprehensive law on changes that will concern additional defense needs.
The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a bill on ARMA reform, which will increase the transparency of the agency's work and unblock assistance from the EU. The document introduces transparent selection of the head and asset management.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the decision to deprive Oles Dovhy of his deputy mandate. 244 people's deputies voted for this decision.
Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko and Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov did not appear in the Verkhovna Rada at the summons of MPs.
The Verkhovna Rada postponed until January 1, 2026, the responsibility for gas stations for not adding 5% bioethanol to fuel. This applies to the norms of the law "On Alternative Fuels".
The Ministers of Energy and Defense will speak in Parliament. Galushchenko will talk about preparations for the heating season, and Umerov about fortifications in the frontline regions.