Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba Resigns Amid Cabinet Reshuffle as Russian Strikes Intensify
Kuleba Steps Down
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, submitted his resignation on Wednesday, ahead of an expected Cabinet reshuffle. Kuleba, one of the most prominent faces of Ukraine on the international stage, has played a critical role in representing Ukraine globally since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. While Kuleba, 43, did not provide specific reasons for his resignation, Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk confirmed that the resignation would be discussed at the next legislative session.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at the imminent Cabinet reshuffle to strengthen the government 2½ years into the war. According to Davyd Arakhamiia, a leader in Zelenskyy’s party, over half of the current Cabinet is expected to change, with new appointments scheduled for Thursday.
Kuleba’s Legacy as Foreign Minister
Kuleba, who has served as foreign minister since March 2020, has been instrumental in Ukraine’s foreign diplomacy, second only to President Zelenskyy in communicating Ukraine’s needs and strategies to international audiences. In a recent milestone, Kuleba became the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit China since the start of the invasion, marking a critical moment in Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts.
Russian Strikes Target Lviv, Killing Civilians
Amid the government reshuffle, Russian missile strikes on the western city of Lviv killed civilians in yet another escalation of violence. The strikes come as Russian attacks across Ukraine intensify, putting further pressure on Ukrainian defenses and the civilian population.
Ukraine Urgently Appeals for Increased Support from Western Allies
Deadly Missile Attack in Poltava
Just a day before the Lviv strikes, one of the deadliest Russian missile attacks since the war began hit the Poltava Military Institute of Communication. Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the institute’s main building, killing over 50 people and injuring more than 200, according to Ukrainian officials. The blast also damaged a nearby hospital.
Poltava, located 350 kilometers southeast of Kyiv, is strategically located on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which lies close to the Russian border. The timing of the attack, which occurred shortly after an air-raid alert, caught many on their way to bomb shelters, leaving devastation in its wake.
Escalating Conflict on Multiple Fronts
The missile strikes come at a time when Ukrainian forces are attempting to gain a foothold in Russia’s Kursk border region following a surprise incursion that began on August 6. At the same time, Russian forces are pushing deeper into eastern Ukraine, intensifying an already brutal conflict.
Zelenskyy’s calls for more advanced weaponry echo Ukraine’s growing urgency as the war shows no signs of de-escalation. With civilian casualties mounting and government changes on the horizon, the situation remains fluid as Ukraine braces for the next phase in its struggle for survival.