Zelensky's reshuffle aims to project strength ahead of a tough winter for Ukraine

Dmytro Kuleba is one of Ukraine's most recognisable faces to Western officials, seemingly never afraid to speak his mind.

- CHRIS STEVENSON

It is that independence that has contributed to the foreign minister becoming the highest-profile member of president Volodymyr Zelensky’s cabinet involved in another major shake-up of Ukraine’s top brass. One which will end up the largest of the war.

Kuleba has offered his resignation as part of what is seen as a political “reset” for Kyiv engineered by Zelensky and his close circle. A number of other ministers also submitted their resignations on Tuesday. Zelensky has said that the cabinet overhaul is part of an effort to “give new strength” to Ukraine’s government and, in the process, solidify Zelensky’s ability to guide policy.

Kuleba, a career diplomat, has been in the foreign ministry since 2020 and saw numerous reshuffles of both the cabinet and military in the more than two years since Russia invaded in February 2022. Zelensky has replaced the defence minister, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the heads of Ukraine’s foreign and domestic intelligence services and the national security office during that span, often at points when the situation on the battlefield has been difficult.