Zelenskyi consults potential candidates for Ukraine's next prime minister

12.07.2026, 18:23 rubryka.com

During his meeting with Denys Shmyhal, Zelenskyi discussed the steps needed to strengthen the protection of Ukraine's energy system and strategic infrastructure facilities across the country.

"We discussed what now requires new and more decisive steps to protect our energy sector and our strategic infrastructure facilities throughout Ukraine," Zelenskyi said.

According to the president, Ukraine has important intergovernmental agreements in the fields of energy and reconstruction, but they must be implemented without delay. At the same time, Zelenskyi stressed that the agreements reached so far are not sufficient, so the meeting focused on setting priorities for the coming weeks and months.

"It is important that we have strong intergovernmental agreements for Ukraine, particularly in the areas of energy and reconstruction. All of this must be implemented on time. But the agreements reached so far are not enough, so we discussed exactly what we need to focus on in the coming weeks and months," the president said.

Later, Zelenskyi announced that he had also met with Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The two discussed the implementation of defense tasks, possible organizational changes, new decisions, and agreements with international partners that could strengthen Ukraine.

The president said that one of the key challenges remains strengthening Ukraine's air defense, particularly to better protect the country's cities and villages from Russian drone attacks of various types.

The meeting also focused on the continued transformation of processes within Ukraine's Defense Forces. According to Zelenskyi, these changes should help maintain service members' motivation and ensure that combat brigades are adequately staffed.

"The transformation of all processes within Ukraine's Defense Forces that can support the motivation of our warriors and ensure combat brigades are properly staffed must continue," Zelenskyi said.

The president also expressed gratitude for the technological solutions and innovations that have already been introduced in the defense sector.

"We all understand the challenges. It is important that the necessary leadership in the defense sector delivers results. I am grateful for the technological work and the innovations that have already been implemented," the head of state said.

Shortly afterward, Zelenskyi announced that he had also met with Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. During the meeting, the two discussed cooperation between the central government, regional authorities, and local communities, as well as the key needs of Ukrainian cities and the prospects for implementing prepared solutions.

The president stressed the need to implement resilience plans as quickly as possible and highlighted Kharkiv's experience in supporting residents, saying it could serve as a model for other Ukrainian cities and communities.

"We discussed how cooperation is organized between the central government and regional and local authorities, the key needs of our communities, and the prospects for implementing the decisions currently being prepared. Resilience plans must be implemented as quickly as possible. Kharkiv's experience in supporting people can be extended to our other cities and communities," Zelenskyi wrote.

As previously reported, earlier on Sunday, July 12, the president met with Yuliia Svyrydenko. Following the meeting, he announced that she would step down as head of government to lead "a new important area of relations with a key partner."

The head of state also announced that "Ukraine is changing its political strategy," adding that each priority area of foreign policy would be overseen by "a specific person with significant experience who is capable of delivering on what we agree at the leaders' level and what the Ukrainian people expect."

Later, Zelenskyi also met with Serhii Koretskyi. During the meeting, they discussed the steps needed to strengthen Ukraine's resilience and ensure the more effective implementation of the government's political strategy.

According to earlier reports, the following officials are being considered as potential candidates for the post of prime minister:

As previously reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi was expected to hold meetings with the candidates on Sunday.