Ukrainian Parliament Accepts Resignation Of Foreign Minister Kuleba

KYIV, Sept. 5 (Bernama-dpa) -- The Ukrainian parliament approved Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's resignation on Thursday, with a clear majority voting in favour of the motion, reported German Press Agency (dpa), quoting Ukrainian media.

Kuleba had tendered his resignation on Wednesday. In office since 2020, Kuleba has become one of the better-known Ukrainian ministers outside the country for his repeated calls for support in warding off the Russian invasion.

Kuleba's deputy, Andrii Sybiha, 49, is to succeed him. Sybiha, a diplomat, served as deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office until April this year.

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Kuleba was not present in parliament for the vote. Media reports said he would begin a new post for Ukraine's integration into NATO.

According to a report by Ukraine's national public broadcaster, Zelensky accused Kuleba during a party meeting of unsatisfactory efforts to secure arms deliveries.

Reports in Kyiv said around half of all ministerial posts would be affected by the cabinet reshuffle, with portfolio responsibilities also changed.

Zelensky has justified the reshuffle on the need for a fresh start. "We need new energy today," he said.

His opponents have characterised the changes as cosmetic and aimed at distracting attention from failures on the frontline. Energy supply problems resulting from Russian attack are also causing frustration among the population.

--BERNAMA-dpa