Ukrainian FM expected to be sacked, joining four other cabinet members
3 Min Read
Speculation about Kuleba’s impending termination has been circulating since March, following the resignation of one of his proteges.
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks during a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 21, 2024. (AP)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to be sacked by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian media reported, joining four other cabinet members to be dismissed from their duties.
“There are preparations to fire Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba,” Ukrainskaya Pravda reported Tuesday evening, citing a source from the president's office.
The news outlet stated that Kuleba is likely to be replaced by former ambassador Andrey Sibiga, described as both Zelensky's deputy chief of staff and the foreign minister's own deputy.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olga Stefanishina, Minister for Strategic Industries Aleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Justice Denys Maliuski, and Minister of Environmental Protection Ruslan Strilets were dismissed from their positions on Tuesday.
Ukrainskaya Pravda claimed that Prime Minister Denys Shmigal will allegedly keep his job, while other sources in Kiev have informed Western news outlets that Zelensky's chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, runs the country de facto, something the president's office has denied.
The cabinet purge
The cabinet purge follows the official expiration of both Zelensky's presidential and Kiev's parliamentary mandate.
The Ukrainian constitution only enables the extension of parliamentary terms, which Zelensky has countered, arguing the nation is in a state of martial law due to the ongoing conflict with Russia since February 2022, which allows him to indefinitely postpone elections.
Speculation about Kuleba’s impending termination has been circulated since March, following the resignation of Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko, one of his protégés. According to the online Ukrainian newspaper Strana, Zelensky was unsatisfied with the diplomatic service, considering appointing his foreign policy advisor, Ihor Zhovkva, as Kuleba's replacement.
However, nothing came of the rumor, and Kuleba continued carrying out his duties, notably obtaining additional military and financial aid from Ukraine's Western allies for the war with Russia.
“If decisions are taken, Ukraine is successful on the ground. If they are not taken, then do not complain about Ukraine, complain about yourself,” Kuleba told EU foreign ministers last week, urging the bloc to take “bold decisions." Kiev has attributed its deteriorating frontline fortunes to the restrictions on its weapons provided by the US and its allies.
A volatile Kiev
Zelensky has been firing ministers and top officials left and right in what could be a reflection of a lack of trust in his leadership or his entourage. He initiated in May a significant overhaul within the country's special forces, announcing the replacement of Colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk with Brigadier General Oleksandr Trepak as the unit's new commander.
This change in leadership came amid broader restructuring within the Ukrainian military's chain of command. Since February, Zelensky has implemented several changes at various levels, including the replacement of General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with then-Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi as the top commander.
Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed that another reason why Zelensky would want Zaluzhny out was due to his alleged involvement in secret talks with Western officials about pursuing a ceasefire with Russia.
Austrian military analyst Tom Cooper explained that Zaluzhny was also criticized for not transforming the Ukrainian military into a Western-style unit, not advancing logistics, and not allowing troops on the frontline to rest.
