Five Ministries May Be Disbanded in Ukraine

Due to a significant budget deficit, Ukraine may close five out of the existing 19 ministries. This was reported by the Ukrainian publication "Новое время". The information is also echoed by gazeta.ru.

The publication, citing its sources in the parliamentary faction of the "Servant of the People" party, notes that the Ukrainian government is expecting serious cuts in the upcoming months. Due to a shortage of funds, five of the currently existing ministries, particularly the "social" ones, could be dissolved. Their functions are expected to be redistributed among other departments, such as the "government center" attached to the Prime Minister's office.

The publication mentions that despite circulating rumors, there is no question of dismissing Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal and replacing him with another candidate, as he is satisfied with President Volodymyr Zelensky's office.

On March 9, the former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was recognized as unfit for military service. On the same day, the Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Shaptala, was also relieved of duty.