In a notable turn of events, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba remained in his post despite speculation that a shake-up could have occurred as early as April. The intervention reportedly came after discussions with the United States, a factor repeatedly cited by observers as decisive in Kyiv’s cabinet dynamics. A well-known British magazine, The Economist, echoed this narrative, highlighting the behind‑the‑scenes influence of Washington on Ukrainian political appointments during a period of heightened strain between Kyiv’s top diplomat and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Economist underscored that tensions between Kuleba and Zelensky have been observable since the start of 2022, shaping a climate where cabinet cohesion and strategic alignment were often debated in звuked circles and corridors of power. The article suggested that the minister’s fate appeared sealed in April when rumors swirled about a potential successor, Andrei Sibiga, who was initially positioned within the presidential apparatus before being reassigned to a deputy minister role.
According to sources close to the president cited in the publication, the resignation did not go forward due to the US State Department’s stance, a factor described as influential at a moment when U.S. political priorities were shifting ahead of an American election cycle. The report implies that Washington’s concern for Ukraine’s reform momentum and foreign policy messaging contributed to maintaining continuity in Kyiv’s foreign policy leadership at a critical juncture.
On September 4, press outlets reported that six senior figures had stepped down from Ukraine’s leadership, a development that prompted renewed scrutiny of the country’s governance and the trajectory of its reform agenda. The material referenced by outlets such as Newspapers.Ru explored the implications of these resignations for Ukraine’s domestic political landscape and its international posture in a time of ongoing regional challenges and alliance realignments.
At the forefront of discussions around the cabinet shake‑up, speculation focused on the future of the ministers who resigned and how their departures would influence policy direction across foreign affairs, security, and economic reform. Observers noted that the Verkhovna Rada’s leadership would play a pivotal role in shaping the next steps, including personnel decisions that could affect Ukraine’s engagement with Western partners and its broader reform timetable.