Zelenskyy has not yet submitted nominations to the Rada for the posts of Minister of Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not yet submitted to the Verkhovna Rada candidates for the positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs. As a result, parliament will not consider their appointments on August 18.

This is reported by Suspilne, citing the Verkhovna Rada’s agenda and lawmakers.

According to the outlet’s sources in parliament, there may currently not be enough votes to appoint the current acting Minister of Defence, Yevheniy Khmara.

“For some MPs, this is not a question of being for or against Khmara — it is a question against Fedorov. People are demanding Fedorov’s return. It is difficult to completely ignore this,” said one MP from the Servant of the People faction.

It is also noted that Yevhenii Khmara is an active serviceman, whereas the Law on National Security of Ukraine stipulates that the Minister of Defence must be a civilian.

Andriy Sybiha, who previously headed the Foreign Ministry in Yuliya Svyrydenko’s government, remains acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Candidates for the positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs are submitted to the Verkhovna Rada by the President of Ukraine.

Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an update to the Cabinet of Ministers and personnel changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies. After the resignation of Yuliya Svyrydenko’s government, all ministers have remained in the status of acting heads until new leaders are appointed.