Today in the Rada - Key Personnel Decisions: Candidates for the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Consultations with candidates for the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued in the Rada - the discussions lasted more than five hours

According to Рубрика — Політика: On August 19, the deputies met again with Yevgeny Khmara and Andrey Sibiga - candidates for the positions of Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The day before, on August 18, these conversations lasted for more than five hours. The nominations for both positions were submitted to the parliament by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Consideration and possible voting on the candidacies are scheduled for August 19.

Who is vying for the ministerial portfolios

Yevgeny Khmara, a former high-ranking SBU officer who has been acting in the defense ministry for the last month, has been proposed for the position of head of the Ministry of Defense. Andrey Sibiga, who has held this position since 2024, is nominated for the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the last reorganization of the cabinet, the parliament did not have time to approve the heads of these two departments. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the submission of nominations for such positions is the prerogative of the president; Zelensky did not send his nominations to the Rada before the deputies went on summer break.

Plenary sessions of the Verkhovna Rada had not been held until August 18 - work was only being conducted in committees. Now, the deputies are discussing with the candidates the main challenges for Ukraine and plans for the development of the ministries. The press service of the parliament stated:

“yesterday the dialogues lasted over five hours. We talked about the tasks and challenges facing the state, as well as the candidates' visions regarding key priorities for their work”

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These consultations are an important stage in forming the renewed government: the effectiveness of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will impact the responses to many challenges that Ukraine faces. The deputies clearly aim to discuss strategies that influence the country's security and international relations carefully and not delay with the decision. Voting is expected very soon. For context: in the conditions of a full-scale war, the timely approval of the heads of the defense and diplomatic agencies is directly related to Ukraine's defense capability and foreign policy position.

Important personnel decisions in the Verkhovna Rada became possible thanks to formal nominations from President Zelensky, which were sent to the parliament before the consultations with the candidates began. This creates a basis for prompt voting and making decisions necessary for stability and security in the country.