Shmyhal resigns as Ukraine’s longest-serving PM of over five years

“Thank you to our defenders who hold the front and protect Ukraine! Thank you to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his trust! Thank you to the entire team for their tireless work for our country!” Shmyhal wrote, attaching a photo of his resignation letter.

Shmyhal holds the record for the longest-serving prime minister in Ukraine’s history, with over five years in office.

On July 13, he held a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after which the president promised a “significant managerial transformation.”

The following day, Zelenskyy announced he had proposed First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to lead the government.

Shmyhal’s resignation, pending parliamentary approval, is equivalent to the resignation of the entire government.

More about Shmyhal's government

Denys Shmyhal was appointed prime minister in March 2020, succeeding Oleksiy Honcharuk.

Under his Cabinet’s leadership, Ukraine navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and faced Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Shmyhal highlighted key achievements, including reforms in social insurance, education, public investment, and the expansion of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) package, as well as transparent privatization. In 2024 alone, privatization generated nearly 10.5 billion hryvnias ($262 million) for state and local budgets, while land leasing brought in 344 million hryvnias ($8.6 million).

His government introduced the “eOselya” mortgage program, “eRobota” grants, the “5-7-9” preferential business loan program, compensation for Ukrainian agricultural equipment and energy equipment, and the establishment of industrial parks.

The government also implemented an administrative-territorial reform, reducing over 11,000 local councils to approximately 1,400 territorial communities.

Five years ago, Ukraine launched the Diia state web portal and mobile application, now offering over 130 public services for citizens and businesses.

Shmyhal also noted that Ukraine’s defense industry capabilities grew 35-fold over the past three years, reaching $35 billion in 2025.

Since February 2022, Ukraine disconnected from Russian and Belarusian energy grids, integrated into the European system, achieved full energy independence from Russia, and ceased transiting Russian gas through its territory.