Khmarа and Sybiga headed the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Verkhovna Rada has completed the personnel crisis

New leaders of the security and diplomatic agencies

According to ХВИЛЯ: On August 19, it was announced in Kyiv that the government crisis lasting more than a month has been resolved. The Verkhovna Rada approved Yevhen Khmara as the Minister of Defense and Andrii Sybiga as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khmara received 312 votes, while Sybiga got 266. Both had been acting heads of these agencies since July 17 when the Cabinet of Ministers made the corresponding decision.

It is important for the Russian audience: these appointments are taking place in the context of a military conflict, so parliamentary votes for the candidates have special significance. Prior to his appointment, Khmara headed the Security Service of Ukraine and resigned from military service before the vote. His candidacy was unanimously supported by the committee on national security, defense, and intelligence. Sybiga has been leading the foreign affairs agency since 2024. Both ministers assumed their positions under the presidential quota; the law on national security requires that the Minister of Defense be a civilian.

Protests at the parliament and program priorities

During the session, there was a rally outside the Verkhovna Rada: participants demanded the return of Mykhailo Fedorov to the position of Minister of Defense. Fedorov was removed from this position in July, after which protests continued in Kyiv, Lviv, and other cities for over a month. Before the vote, the former minister recorded a message to Ukrainians, thanking them for their support.

“I am confident that change is possible. And it is necessary.” - Mykhailo Fedorov

Among Yevhen Khmara's priorities in his new position are:

• to take strategic initiative into his own hands;
• to achieve the transfer of hostilities onto the enemy's territory;
• to preserve human potential;
• to enhance the capabilities of the defense industry.

Andrii Sybiga sees the tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as follows:

• to achieve a just peace;
• to promote Ukraine in the EU and NATO;
• to work with Ukrainians abroad.

The appointments took place against a backdrop of prolonged protests and dissatisfaction following the resignation of the previous Minister of Defense. Observers estimate that this may contribute to the stabilization of the government and strengthen trust in the executive power amid the war. Both new ministers have significant experience in their fields, which is important for addressing the urgent tasks facing Ukraine.