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Who holds which office in Kyiv
Summary
A short guide to the senior posts in Ukraine's government and parliament, and the people who hold them as of 2 October 2026.
When a decision is announced in Kyiv, who is actually making it? International readers following Ukrainian politics often meet a crowd of titles: president, prime minister, parliamentary chairman and a long line of ministers. This guide sets out who holds the most senior of those posts as of 2 October 2026 and suggests how to read news from each.
The presidency
The President of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The presidency is the office most visible abroad. Statements from the president's office are usually the clearest sign of the country's overall direction, particularly on matters touching the wider region and Ukraine's partners.
The government
The Prime Minister of Ukraine is Serhii Koretskyi. The prime minister leads the government, the cabinet of ministers that runs the state's day-to-day business. When readers see news about budgets, public services or ministry policy, it usually comes from this side of the executive.
Two cabinet posts draw particular international attention. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine is Yevhenii Khmara, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is Andrii Sybiha. Announcements from the defence ministry and the foreign ministry are often the first official word on matters that concern Ukraine's neighbours and allies. It is worth noting which ministry an announcement comes from, as that shows which part of the state is speaking.
The parliament
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada is Ruslan Stefanchuk. The Verkhovna Rada is Ukraine's parliament, where legislation is debated and voted on. The chairman presides over its work. Parliamentary news tends to move in stages, and a measure under discussion is not the same as a measure that has become law. When following a bill, readers should look for which stage it has reached and whether it has been formally adopted.
Reading the news
A few habits help when following Ukrainian politics from abroad:
- Check the title. A statement from the president, the prime minister, a minister or the parliamentary chairman carries different weight and comes from a different branch of the state.
- Separate proposals from decisions. Draft laws, proposals and plans can change before they are adopted.
- Watch for confirmation. When something is still developing, early accounts may be revised as more becomes known.
The Ledger will report on specific decisions and debates involving these offices as they are announced. For now, this list is meant as a reference: a way to match names to roles so that the next headline from Kyiv is easier to read.
