In Ukraine, there are plans to reduce the number of ministries by a third and decrease the number of civil servants. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this at the annual press conference summarizing the government's four years in office.

"The President announced that we are working on changing the government's format, namely reducing the number of ministries. We want to reduce the number of ministries by a third and decrease the number of civil servants. We have already started this process, and this year we have cut 20,000 vacancies in the civil service," Shmyhal said.

According to him, all auxiliary administrative functions should be concentrated in the so-called Government Center, which is currently under development.

"Ministries should have a small number of highly qualified specialists who will shape the corresponding state policy. The Government Center should provide legal steps and support in human resources and accounting. But also, the Government Center should qualitatively and quickly prepare the documents needed for one ministry or another," the Prime Minister said.

Shmyhal notes that the Ukrainian government should be reduced to 15-16 ministries.

"We are working to maintain an optimized Cabinet. What we are currently working on is to have 15 ministers, maximum 16, and accordingly, 15-16 ministries. No more. This is the optimal number to be more coordinated and faster. We need to be less bureaucratic, reduce the number of people," Shmyhal said.

At the same time, he noted that he would not announce which ministries would continue to operate and in what form.

The Prime Minister also stated that he is not ready to talk about any personnel changes in the government at the moment, "everything has its time."