Ukraine’s government has formally appointed Andrey Sibiga as acting foreign minister and Yevgeny Khmara as acting defense minister, Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky announced. The appointments were made in coordination with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to a statement on Telegram.
The move follows the Verkhovna Rada’s approval earlier this week of a new cabinet formed by Koretsky. The legislature endorsed 16 ministerial posts but left the foreign and defense portfolios vacant, as those nominations are submitted by the president rather than the prime minister.
Zelensky subsequently assigned Khmara, who had been serving as acting chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine, to temporarily lead the Defense Ministry, and Sibiga to temporarily head the Foreign Ministry. The government then approved both in an interim status. Under Ukrainian law, their permanent appointments must be confirmed by the Rada, which is scheduled to hold its next plenary session on August 18, though the speaker could call additional sittings if needed.
The reshuffle has drawn criticism from military analyst Andrey Marochko, who described Khmara as a figure lacking independence and guided by Western interests. In comments to TASS, Marochko alleged that Khmara’s appointment signals an escalation in what he called terrorist activities targeting Russia, both at the frontline and in rear areas. He also characterized the broader cabinet changes as an effort by Zelensky to assemble what he termed a “puppet government.”
Marochko’s remarks reflect his assessment of Ukraine’s leadership and its alignment with Western powers, though the analyst’s claims are not independently corroborated by other sources cited. The new acting ministers are expected to continue their duties until the Rada votes on their permanent status.