Prime Minister of Ukraine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Ukraine
Coat of arms of Ukraine
Incumbent Yulia Svyrydenko since 17 July 2025
Style	Mdm Prime Minister (informal) Her Excellency (diplomatic)
Member of	Cabinet National Security and Defense Council
Seat	Government Building, Kyiv, Ukraine
Nominator	President of Ukraine
Appointer	Verkhovna Rada
Term length	Five years unless the Verkhovna Rada is dissolved sooner No term limits specified
Inaugural holder	Volodymyr Vynnychenko
Formation	28 June 1917; 108 years ago (1917-06-28) (original) 25 March 1946; 79 years ago (1946-03-25) (Ukrainian SSR) 24 August 1991; 33 years ago (1991-08-24) (current form)
Deputy	First Deputy Prime Minister
Salary	₴20,000 monthly
Website	KMU.gov.ua

The prime minister of Ukraine (in Ukrainian: Прем'єр-міністр України) is the main leader of the government in Ukraine. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country day-to-day. The prime minister leads the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. This Cabinet is the highest group in charge of carrying out laws and managing the country.

This important role started after Ukraine became independent in 1991. Before that, during the Soviet era, the position was called the chairman of the Council of Ministers.

Yulia Tymoshenko was the first woman to become prime minister of Ukraine. Arseniy Yatsenyuk was the first prime minister from Western Ukraine.

The current prime minister is Yulia Svyrydenko. She was approved by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) on July 17, 2025. She took over from Denys Shmyhal.

How is the Prime Minister Chosen?

The president chooses the prime minister. But this choice needs to be approved by the Verkhovna Rada, which is Ukraine's parliament. The parliament gives its approval if more than half of its members vote for the person the president suggests.

Getting this approval is a big deal. For example, Yulia Tymoshenko received 373 votes when she became prime minister in 2005. This was the highest number of votes ever given to a prime minister candidate. Other prime ministers like Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Vitold Fokin, and Leonid Kuchma also received many votes.

Before the vote, members of parliament talk with the candidate for several days. They ask questions and learn about their plans. Sometimes, a candidate might not get enough votes the first time. For instance, in 1999, Valeriy Pustovoitenko almost got re-approved but missed by just three votes.

Since 2004, the president's choice for prime minister has been more limited. The president usually has to nominate someone suggested by the group of parties that form a majority in parliament. This makes sure the prime minister has strong support from the lawmakers.

A prime minister, like other government members, cannot also be a member of parliament at the same time.

What Does the Prime Minister Do?

U.S. president Barack Obama talking with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in 2014.

The prime minister leads the Cabinet of Ministers. This Cabinet is the main group that runs the country. The prime minister signs the official orders that the Cabinet passes.

The prime minister suggests people for most government minister jobs to the parliament. However, the president suggests the candidates for the minister of foreign affairs and the minister of defence. The prime minister can also suggest people to the president to lead regional areas.

The prime minister also signs off on laws and orders made by the president. This means they are responsible for making sure these laws are put into action.

While in office, the prime minister is protected from legal actions. Their main office is in the Cabinet of Ministries building in central Kyiv. In 2013, the prime minister's monthly salary was about ₴33,980. This was much higher than the average salary in Ukraine.

Sometimes, people even write to the prime minister directly for help with their personal problems. In 2012, Prime Minister Azarov received many messages on his Facebook page asking for help.

Acting and Deputy Prime Ministers

Oleksandr Turchynov was an Acting Prime Minister in 2010.

If the prime minister is not available, the first vice-prime minister (also called the first deputy) takes charge of the Cabinet. Some first deputies, like Yukhym Zvyahilsky and Mykola Azarov, have served as acting prime minister for a long time.

Besides the first deputy, there are other vice-ministers. They help the prime minister and might be in charge of specific areas. These areas could be about farming, helping people, the economy, or regional issues.

Leaving the Job: Resignation or Dismissal

The prime minister, like other Cabinet members, can choose to resign. They do this by giving their resignation to the parliament. When the prime minister resigns, the entire Cabinet also steps down. Since 1996, only two prime ministers, Pavlo Lazarenko and Mykola Azarov, have left their jobs this way.

Prime ministers do not have a set time limit for how long they can serve. They usually stay in office until the parliament's term ends, or until they resign or are dismissed.

Before 2004, the president could usually dismiss the prime minister alone. But after a change in the constitution, only the parliament can dismiss the prime minister. This happens if the parliament votes that it no longer trusts the Cabinet. However, parliament cannot do this within one year of the Cabinet starting its work.

Who Has Been Prime Minister?

Since Ukraine became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991, there have been 19 prime ministers.

Yulia Svyrydenko is the current prime minister of Ukraine, starting on July 17, 2025.

Denys Shmyhal was the longest-serving prime minister. Other long-serving prime ministers include Mykola Azarov and Yulia Tymoshenko, both of whom served two times.

Tymoshenko was the first woman to hold the position of prime minister in Ukraine.

Timeline of Prime Ministers

How Many Votes Did They Get?

See also

In Spanish: Primer ministro de Ucrania para niños