Ukraine's Parliament Approves New Foreign Minister Amid Pivotal War Phase

Ukraine's parliament has approved Andrii Sybiha as the new foreign minister. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to rejuvenate his administration amid the ongoing war with Russia. Sybiha, a former ambassador to Turkey, replaces Dmytro Kuleba. Zelenskyy is also planning to replace nearly a dozen other top officials.

Ukraine's parliament approved the appointment of a new foreign minister Thursday, two lawmakers said, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought to breathe fresh life into his administration with the war against Russia poised for what could be a pivotal phase.

Andrii Sybiha, a former ambassador to Turkey, is the country's new chief diplomat. He replaced Dmytro Kuleba, who became one of Ukraine's most recognizable faces on the international stage as he petitioned and pleaded with Western countries to support Ukraine's war effort.

Sybiha, 49, has been working as Kuleba's deputy since April.

Zelenskyy wants to replace almost a dozen top officials in his biggest government shakeup since Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022. Other possible new faces included the heads of strategic industries, farming and justice.

Parliament's approval is required for the changes. Ukrainian lawmakers Yaroslav Zhelezniak and Oleksii Honcharenko confirmed the vote to The Associated Press.