Ukraine’s government reset: foreign minister resigns, EU comments

The EU commented on the “reset” of the Ukrainian government. The European Commission hopes that after the changes in the Ukrainian government, Ukraine and the EU will continue to have the same good and close cooperation as before.

Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the European Commission, made this statement on September 5.

Asked whether the European Union expects changes as a result of the Ukrainian government’s “reset,” in particular the resignation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the appointment of Olga Stefanishyna, who left the position of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, to a new role, Stano noted that the EU is closely following internal developments in Ukraine.

“We have noted the recent reshuffle in the Ukrainian government and in several key government positions,” he said, adding that this is not something the European Union can comment on.

According to Stano, it is important for the EU to always have good and reliable partners “on the other side.” In particular, it is important to have good and stable governance.

The European Commission representative expressed hope that the EU will be able to continue its beneficial cooperation with the new Ukrainian colleagues as effectively as before.

Commenting on the dismissal of Foreign Minister Kuleba, Stano noted that he could only recall the words of the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, who “thanked Kuleba for everything he had done for Ukraine and for everything they had done together.”

“There have been very frequent communications and coordination between High Representative Borrell and Foreign Minister Kuleba, and we can only praise him for everything he has done in a trying and very difficult time for Ukraine,” the European Commission spokesperson added.

As you know, the Ukrainian parliament supported Dmytro Kuleba’s resignation from the post of Foreign Minister on September 5. Career diplomat Andriy Sybiha is likely to replace him.

Olha Stefanishyna, who resigned from her position as Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration earlier, will take up her new role and lead the Ministry of Justice.

The Ukraine Parliament received resignation applications from five ministers: for strategic industries Oleksandr Kamyshyn, Minister of Justice Denis Malyska, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strelts, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanyshina, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Reintegration of Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk.