He announced the move during his evening video address."Today, I have already signed the documents for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding Denys Shmyhal as the new Minister of Defense. The Ministry of Defense will also oversee strategic sectors of industry," Zelenskyy said.He added that Herman Smetanin, the current Minister for Strategic Industries, will become head of the state-owned arms maker Ukroboronprom (Ukrainian Defense Industry).“The task is very clear and concrete. Today, about 40% of the weapons used by Ukraine at the front and in operations are domestically produced. That’s already more Ukrainian-made weaponry than ever before in our history. The volumes are significant. But we need more. We need greater capacity to push the war back into Russian territory — the territory from which it came. They must feel the consequences of what they’ve done and understand the price of Putin’s refusal to cease fire and pursue real peace. We must reach a level of 50% domestically produced weaponry within the first six months of the new government’s work by ramping up our own production. I am confident this can be done,” Zelenskyy concluded.Other ministerial candidates presentedDuring a meeting of the Servant of the People faction attended by President Zelenskyy, candidates for government positions were presented, according to faction leader Davyd Arakhamia.“There are both new figures and those who have proven themselves in government roles,” Arakhamia said.As previously reported, the nominee for Prime Minister is Yuliia Svyrydenko.“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Yuliia Svyrydenko lead the government. Our faction supports her candidacy. We know her well from her professional work, and we believe she is capable of leading the country through this difficult period,” Arakhamia said.Key appointments and proposed changesMykhailo Fedorov, current Minister of Digital Transformation, will remain in his position and also become First Deputy Prime Minister.Taras Kachka is proposed as Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.Herman Halushchenko, current Energy Minister, will become Minister of Justice. His position will be filled by Environment Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk.Denys Uliutin will be appointed Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity.Oleksii Soboliev is nominated as Minister of Economy. Ministers proposed to remain in officeOleksii Kuleba – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Territorial DevelopmentMatvii Bidnyi – Minister of Youth and SportsNataliia Kalmykova – Minister for Veterans AffairsIhor Klymenko – Minister of Internal AffairsOksen Lisovyi – Minister of Education and ScienceViktor Liashko – Minister of HealthSerhii Marchenko – Minister of FinanceAndrii Sybiha – Minister of Foreign Affairs“The Verkhovna Rada will review these nominations at the next session. Consultations on the candidate for Minister of Culture are still ongoing,” Arakhamia added.As a reminder, on Wednesday, July 16, the Verkhovna Rada approved the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.