The Rada explained why Ukraine is still without full-fledged heads of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Verkhovna Rada has not yet considered the appointment of full-fledged ministers of defense and foreign affairs due to the lack of relevant nominations from President Volodymyr Zelensky.

This was reported by a people’s deputy from the “Servant of the People” faction on condition of anonymity in a comment to LIGA.net.

According to him, the parliament currently has virtually no personnel issues for which it could gather for the relevant votes.

“There are no nominations. That’s why all these accusations: why isn’t this Rada meeting? Why should we gather? Well, is there a nomination for someone or what? There isn’t,” the publication’s interlocutor said.

At the same time, the deputy expressed the opinion that the head of state, if he wishes, can submit the relevant nominations to the parliament within one day.

Who can be appointed as ministers

Currently, the duties of the Minister of Foreign Affairs are performed by Andriy Sybiga.

The people’s deputy said that he spoke with him on August 7 and asked about the possible submission of his candidacy for the position of full-fledged head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the deputy, Sybiga replied that he hopes for a corresponding submission.

In the Ministry of Defense, the duties of the head of the department are performed by Yevheniy Khmara.

The interlocutor of the publication stated that if the president nominates Khmara for the position of Minister of Defense, he is ready to support her during the vote.

Earlier, the secretary of the parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Roman Kostenko, also noted that the appointment of Khmara as a full-fledged head of the Ministry of Defense currently looks most likely. At the same time, there is no final decision yet.

Why the president should nominate a candidate

Ukraine has been without full-fledged ministers of defense and foreign affairs since July 15.

According to the Constitution of Ukraine, it is the president who submits a proposal to the Verkhovna Rada on the appointment of the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Therefore, without the appropriate personnel submissions, the parliament cannot proceed directly to the appointment of the heads of these departments.

It is expected that the Verkhovna Rada may consider personnel issues regarding the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 18.

The Rada also expects the government program

Next week, August 17–23, the parliament is also expected to present the government’s program of activities.

At the same time, the interlocutor of LIGA.net noted that he is currently not sure that there are enough votes to approve it.

According to him, it would be desirable to approve the program, since the Verkhovna Rada has not approved such a document since the time of the government of Oleksiy Honcharuk.

Approval of the program of activities of the Cabinet of Ministers has a separate political and legal significance, in particular in the context of the annual immunity of the government from considering the issue of its responsibility in the manner prescribed by the Constitution.

At the same time, the deputy admitted that it is currently difficult to speak about the full predictability of further personnel processes.