Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba is leaving his post as part of a major government reshuffle after two and a half years of war.

The 43-year-old career diplomat took over the Foreign Ministry in 2020 before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk posted a photograph on his Facebook page of Mr Kuleba’s handwritten request to step down from the government on Wednesday.

The speaker said the request would be discussed at a future parliamentary session.

Mr Kuleba’s application is one of numerous resignations since Tuesday, and it was also published on Stefanchuk’s Facebook page.

Olexander Kamyshin, who is responsible for the defence industry, justice minister Denys Maliuska and environment minister Ruslan Strilets also announced their resignations.

Vitaly Koval, the head of the State Property Fund responsible for privatisation, also wants to leave office.

The resignations of the deputy heads of government, Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk, also emerged late on Tuesday.

Ms Vereshchuk is responsible for refugee issues, while Ms Stefanishyna is responsible for Ukraine’s European integration.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a reshuffle of the government in July. The aim, he said, was to make the government more effective as the war against Russia continues.

Acting ministers are already running five ministries.

A list of new appointees is expected to be announced at a meeting of the Zelensky’s party on Wednesday.

Current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has been in office since March 2020. 

(dpa/NAN)