On August 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially nominated the acting Minister of Defense, Evhen Hmara, a former high-ranking officer of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), to take over the permanent leadership of the ministry, reports Kyiv Independent on Tuesday.
Zelenski also nominated Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiha, who held the position on an interim basis after the government reshuffle in July, to officially return to the post, according to deputy Iaroslav Jelezniak and other parliamentarians.
The decision regarding the new Minister of Defense was closely watched, after the dismissal of the former minister Mihailo Fedorov during a chaotic government reshuffle sparked nationwide protests.
Both nominations now need to be approved by parliament, which resumed its activities on August 18 after the summer vacation.
A Ukrainian official confirmed to Kyiv Independent that Zelenski has nominated Hmara and Sibiha, but specified that it is not yet clear when the final vote will take place. According to Jelezniak, the confirmation votes are expected to take place on August 19.
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