Ukraine Foreign Minister Confirmed
Andrii Sybiha Reappointed Ukraine's Foreign Minister as Government Navigates Wartime Cabinet Changes
Key Points
Sybiha previously served as Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey from August 23, 2016, until his dismissal on May 19, 2021, after which he became Deputy Head of the Office of the President and later rose to First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs on April 12, 2024.
In 2026, following the appointment of Serhiy Koretsky as prime minister, the Verkhovna Rada did not immediately appoint the defense and foreign ministers; instead, Sybiha was temporarily named First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs with duties of acting minister.
On August 18, Zelenskyy submitted nominations to appoint Yevhen Khmara as Minister of Defense and Andriy (Andrii) Sybiha as Minister of Foreign Affairs, signaling further cabinet changes amid ongoing governance adjustments.
In mid-July 2025, Ukraine experienced protests across several cities in response to a cabinet reshuffle and the defense minister's resignation, culminating in a broader realignment with protests continuing and eventual leadership changes within the defense ministry and the military leadership.
Ukraine's parliament has reappointed Andrii Sybiha as foreign minister, with 266 deputies backing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination on July 17, 2025. The vote marked Sybiha's third term leading Ukraine's foreign policy amid sweeping cabinet changes driven by wartime pressures.
The reappointment came as part of a broader government reshuffle following the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the appointment of Serhiy Koretsky as the new prime minister. Ukraine's cabinet has seen repeated shake-ups as the country navigates wartime governance.
Sybiha's Long Road to Ukraine's Top Diplomatic Post
Sybiha was born in 1975 in Zboriv, in the Ternopil region of western Ukraine. He built his career step by step inside Ukraine's diplomatic service. He worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at Ukraine's embassy in Poland before rising through senior roles.
Zelenskyy named Sybiha as ambassador to Turkey on August 23, 2016. He held that post until May 19, 2021. He then moved to the President's Office as Deputy Head before becoming First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs on April 12, 2024. He first became foreign minister on September 5, 2024.
Cabinet Chaos: Protests, Resignations, and a New Prime Minister
Mid-July 2025 brought street protests to cities across Ukraine. Citizens pushed back against a wave of cabinet reshuffles and the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The unrest reflected deep public concern over leadership stability during wartime.
Svyrydenko's resignation as prime minister triggered the broader reshuffle. Koretsky stepped in as the new prime minister. After the transition, the Verkhovna Rada did not immediately confirm a defense or foreign minister. Sybiha was temporarily named First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and acted as minister in the interim.
Khmara Named Defense Minister as Cabinet Takes Shape
On August 18, Zelenskyy submitted two key nominations to parliament: Yevhen Khmara for defense minister and Sybiha for a new term as foreign minister. Lawmakers approved Khmara's appointment with 312 votes, according to AP. That cleared the way for Sybiha's own confirmation vote.
Khmara replaced Fedorov, who was ousted in July amid the protests, according to APA. The back-to-back confirmations signaled that Ukraine's new government had stabilized enough to fill its top security posts, even as fighting continued on the front lines.
What Sybiha's Third Term Means for Ukraine's Diplomacy
Sybiha's return gives Ukraine a familiar face in high-stakes diplomatic talks. He has deep ties to Turkey, a country that has played a key role in mediating between Ukraine and Russia. His continuity in the role signals Zelenskyy wants stability in foreign policy even as the domestic cabinet shifts.
With 266 votes for Sybiha and 312 for Khmara, both appointments passed comfortably in the 450-seat Rada. Ukraine now has a full cabinet in place, giving Zelenskyy a clearer command structure as the country pushes ahead on both the battlefield and in international negotiations.
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