Ukraine's parliament dismissed the Prime Minister and his cabinet

Putin is not impressed by Trump's threats and plans to keep fighting in Ukraine

On July 16, the Ukrainian parliament accepted Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal's resignation, effectively dismissing his government and initiating a cabinet reshuffle. This move follows President Volodymyr Zelensky’s nomination of First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko as Shmyhal’s replacement.

Shmyhal, who served as prime minister for over five years and led Ukraine through the early phases of the full-scale Russian invasion, received thanks from Zelensky for his service. His departure, supported by 261 lawmakers, leaves all ministers serving in an acting capacity until a new cabinet is confirmed, with a vote expected on July 17.

Zelensky has hinted that Shmyhal might be appointed as Ukraine’s new ambassador to the U.S., replacing current Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is reportedly taking on a diplomatic role.

Svyrydenko, 39, has served as deputy prime minister and economy minister since 2021. Zelensky outlined the new government’s priorities for the next six months, including expanding domestic weapons production, ensuring full drone procurement for the military, boosting economic deregulation, and delivering social support programs.

Although the final cabinet composition hasn’t been officially released, several anticipated changes have been reported. Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna is expected to leave the cabinet, possibly becoming ambassador to the EU. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko may shift to the Justice Ministry, while Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka could become deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, under a corruption investigation, is expected to be dismissed. Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin will also leave, with his ministry set to merge into the Defense Ministry.

A new Resources Ministry may be formed by consolidating the economy, agriculture, and ecology portfolios. It would be headed by Deputy Economy Minister Oleksii Soboliev. Current Ecology Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk is reportedly in line to replace Halushchenko as energy minister.

Russian President Vladimir Putin remains committed to continuing the war in Ukraine until the West agrees to a peace deal on Russia’s terms, Reuters reported on July 15, citing three sources close to the Kremlin.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's recent ultimatum threatening 100% "secondary tariffs" on Russia if no agreement is reached within 50 days, sources said Putin sees no reason to compromise. The Kremlin reportedly believes Russia’s military and economy are resilient enough to withstand new sanctions and is even prepared to expand its territorial ambitions as Russian forces advance.

Though Trump and Putin have held phone calls and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has visited Moscow, the Kremlin views these diplomatic efforts as lacking substance.

According to Reuters, Putin’s peace conditions include a legally binding halt to NATO expansion, Ukrainian neutrality and demilitarization, recognition of Russia’s territorial gains, and protection for Russian-speaking populations — claims often used by Moscow to justify its invasion.

Putin is reportedly open to discussing international security guarantees for Ukraine, though no framework has been proposed.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly blamed former President Joe Biden for the war and reiterated that Trump is focused on stopping the conflict. She warned that Russia would face serious economic consequences if it does not agree to a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any peace deal that would legitimize Russia’s occupation, insisting on Ukraine’s sovereign rights and pursuit of NATO membership. Kyiv has called for a full, unconditional ceasefire before engaging in peace talks.

Sources close to the Kremlin said Moscow believes it holds the advantage on the battlefield and in defense production, claiming Russia's war economy is outproducing NATO in key areas like artillery shell manufacturing. They also said Putin is not worried about threats to sanction countries such as China or India, which continue purchasing Russian oil.

Trump recently expressed disappointment in Putin’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire and announced a new shipment of U.S.-made Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, funded by NATO and European partners.

Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three and injured 40 over the past day

Russian attacks across Ukraine on July 16 killed at least three civilians and injured over 40 people, including children, according to regional authorities. The assault included a massive overnight drone offensive, with Russian forces launching around 400 drones, including 255 Shahed-type drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 198 drones, while 145 were intercepted or disappeared from radar due to electronic warfare.

In Vinnytsia Oblast, eight people were hospitalized after drone strikes hit two industrial sites and damaged residential buildings. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kryvyi Rih suffered widespread power outages and a 17-year-old boy was injured. Earlier attacks injured three people in the Nikopol district and one woman in Synelnykove.

In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian strikes killed a 68-year-old man in Kupiansk and a 67-year-old man in Prykolotne, and injured five others. Kharkiv city endured intense bombardment, with 17 explosions reported in 20 minutes, mostly targeting a civilian enterprise.

One civilian was wounded in Chernihiv Oblast near the border village of Hremiach, and a 12-year-old girl was injured in Zaporizhzhia. In Donetsk Oblast, 11 civilians were wounded in attacks across several towns, including Rodynske and Druzhkivka.

In Kherson Oblast, eight people were injured, and numerous homes and buildings were damaged. In Mykolaiv Oblast, a missile strike on Ochakiv injured a 69-year-old man and damaged two recreational facilities. One man was killed by Russian shelling in Sumy Oblast’s Velyka Pysarivka community.

The attacks came just days after the U.S. and NATO allies pledged new Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, and U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum threatening harsh tariffs on Russia if it does not agree to a peace deal.