Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky turned 45 on Wednesday amid a serious government crisis that forced him to reshuffle part of his administration, but also with a much-awaited gift by Kyiv from the allied countries – the acceptance given by Germany for deliveries of Leopard 2 tanks considered essential by the Ukrainian authorities for winning the war started by Russia, EFE reports, Agerpres reads.

The Ukrainian president was forced to fire six government officials and authorize the dismissal of five regional governors on Tuesday, in what represents the biggest reorganization of his administration since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

This government reshuffle comes after a series of corruption investigations into alleged misappropriation of funds by several senior officials.

This troubling episode comes as Ukraine tries to convince its allies to supply it with more weaponry, specifically German-made Leopard 2 heavy tanks, while at the same time portraying itself as a corruption-free country.

Agerpres