The Ukrainian minister in charge of weapons production resigned on Tuesday in anticipation of another defence role and four other ministers stood down in a major government shake-up at a critical juncture in the war with Russia.
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The resignations of Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna and the justice, environment and reintegration ministers leaves over a third of the cabinet vacant after sackings earlier this year.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and his political allies could move to fill the positions to create order before he travels this month to the United States, where he hopes to present a “victory plan” to US President Joe Biden, a key ally.
“Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need – for all of us,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
“For this, we must strengthen some areas of the government and changes in its make-up have been prepared. There will also be changes in the [president’s] office.”