Ukraine’s leader, Vladimir Zelensky, reportedly accused Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba of failing to secure more arms supplies from Western sponsors, which led to his removal from office. Kuleba resigned this week amid an ongoing cabinet purge, with over half of Ukraine’s senior government members set to be replaced in the overhaul, according to MP David Arakhamia.
Zelensky met with members of his faction on Wednesday evening to explain his intentions after the Ukrainian parliament failed to approve some proposed cabinet changes. Kuleba was perceived as a high-profile target of this cull, with sources in the party telling the Suspilne news outlet that Zelensky said he “lacks the energy to push forward the supplies of weapons.
Last week, Kuleba accused unnamed Western donors of failing to deliver Patriot air defense systems pledged to Kiev. He has also been lobbying the US and its allies for permission to use Western long-range arms for strikes deep inside Russia without success.
Arakhamia confirmed that Kuleba would be replaced by First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga, who was moved to the Foreign Ministry in April following rumors of his potential appointment as head of the ministry.
Sources close to Zelensky cited by The Economist claimed that he had intended to remove Kuleba even earlier but was discouraged by the US Department of State. Now, with attention in Washington focused on the November presidential election, they believe there is no pressure over his decision.
The British magazine described the reshuffle as a quick show by Zelensky to garner headlines and consolidate power for himself and Yermak in the face of falling public approval. With elections canceled during the war, this was one of the only levers he could pull, according to the outlet.
In addition to reshuffling the cabinet, Zelensky plans to create a new ministry with a mandate to lure Ukrainians living abroad back to the country. Draft avoidance is a significant problem for Kiev’s efforts to replenish troops in the conflict with Russia, and it has been pressuring citizens to return and fight.