Volodymyr Groysman

Volodymyr Borysovych Groysman (born 20 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician who served as the 16th Prime Minister of Ukraine from 14 April 2016 to 29 August 2019. He previously held the position of Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada from November 2014 to April 2016 and was Mayor of Vinnytsia from 2006 to 2014, becoming the youngest individual to serve in that municipal role at age 28.

Born in Vinnytsia to a family of Jewish descent, Groysman entered politics after early involvement in his family's business ventures, starting as a commercial director at age 16. His appointment as Prime Minister marked a historic milestone as the first Jewish individual to hold the office in Ukraine, occurring amid ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the east and efforts toward economic stabilization and anti-corruption reforms. At 38 years old upon taking office, he was also the youngest Prime Minister in Ukrainian history, tasked with advancing decentralization, pension reforms, and European integration during a period of fiscal austerity and wartime challenges.

During his tenure, Groysman's government prioritized structural reforms, including the launch of initiatives to enhance local governance autonomy and increase domestic gas production, while navigating public discontent over delayed wage and pension growth. He resigned in May 2019 following the election of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, protesting perceived threats to reform continuity, though his cabinet remained in a caretaker capacity until a new government was formed. In compliance with Ukraine's anti-corruption declarations, Groysman publicly disclosed substantial family assets, including large cash holdings, which drew scrutiny but aligned with transparency requirements for officials. Post-premiership, he has advocated for Ukraine's EU accession within a decade and maintained a pro-Western orientation.