Ukraine Parliament Blocks Shmyhal as Energy Minister Amid Worsening Winter Energy Crisis

Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday failed to appoint former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal to the post of energy minister, delivering a setback to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s sweeping government reshuffle.

Shmyhal, who was the prime minister for five years before being moved to defense for some six months last year, had been tapped to take charge of the energy ministry, which has been without a head for almost two months as Ukraine’s energy sector comes under intensifying pressure from Russian attacks.

The previous energy minister, Svitlana Hrynchuk, was dismissed last year after being implicated in a huge corruption scandal which also compromised her predecessor.

Despite expectations that he would be approved, Shmyhal fell short of the required 226 votes, securing backing from only 10 lawmakers while three opposition parties abstained. Some two dozen lawmakers from Zelensky’s own party failed to vote.

Shmyhal’s nomination was part of a broader cabinet overhaul intended to calibrate Kyiv’s leadership in a new phase of war marked by deeper strikes, rapid technological adaptation and mounting pressure on critical infrastructure.

Earlier on Tuesday, parliament had voted to dismiss Shmyhal from his post as defense minister, with Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov expected to take on the job.

Parliament had also been expected to confirm Fedorov in the new role before the session concluded.

Other Topics of Interest

Magyar Blocks Ukraine Fast-Track EU Push, Removes Acceleration Clause from Summit Deal

The conclusions still welcome Ukraine’s accession process but omit any reference to speeding it up.

Instead, lawmakers adjourned without approving either appointment, despite both candidates having already been formally dismissed from their previous roles in anticipation of a smooth transition.

Legislators said parliament would reconvene on Wednesday to revisit both nominations.

Opposition figures had warned against reshuffling senior officials at such a critical moment in the war, suggesting that it could be disruptive.