The Verkhovna Rada has approved the appointment of Tetiana Berezhna as Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine.
A total of 266 lawmakers supported the decision at a parliament meeting on Tuesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
During her speech in the parliament, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the decision to nominate Berezhna “is based on the firm belief that, in times of war, culture cannot be a secondary issue, as it is part of our national resilience, identity, and Ukraine’s voice in the world.”
“We need someone who not only understands this conceptually but can also turn vision into practical results. Tetiana Berezhna has extensive experience in government, international projects, and cultural diplomacy. As Deputy Minister of Economy, she implemented large-scale programs supporting Ukrainian producers, employment, education, human capital development, and major cultural projects on the global stage, including the Ukrainian pavilion at Expo 2025 in Japan. As minister, she now has the opportunity to systematically develop cultural policy at the national level,” Svyrydenko added.
Berezhna outlined her priorities for the role: “First, attracting resources to the cultural sector. […] Second, preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage. […] Third, maintaining the autonomy and resilience of cultural institutions.”
“Culture is the foundation of our state. Economy, education, and security stand on it. Culture explains who we are, why we exist, and for what purpose. Today, culture is indeed a matter of national security. It is our code, our memory, and the meaning of what we fight for. […] Culture is a mark of a conscious state. […] It builds trust in the country, opens doors to international partnerships, and serves as a channel for diplomacy. It can also attract investments and promote state interests,” Berezhna said.
She added that challenges remain and much work lies ahead: “We have a clear, realistic goal. Today, our team is working to ensure that our children grow up in Ukraine, speak Ukrainian, visit Ukrainian museums, listen to and know Ukrainian performers, and read books from Ukrainian publishers at bedtime. We are working to create a future where Ukrainian culture will no longer have to prove itself or fight for survival, but will be strong, capable, and widely recognized in Ukraine and around the world.”
Berezhna previously served as Ukraine’s General Commissioner at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, responsible for presenting Ukraine and managing the national pavilion.
On June 17, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed her Deputy Minister of Economy.
On July 28, 2025, she was appointed Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications and Acting Minister.
Photo: Tetiana Berezhna / Facebook