Ukraine Appoints Energy Executive Sergii Koretskyi as Prime Minister
Ukraine’s parliament has appointed energy executive Sergii Koretskyi as the country’s new prime minister, placing a seasoned corporate crisis manager at the head of its wartime government following a major reshuffle initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Koretskyi secured the support of 289 lawmakers on July 16, becoming Ukraine’s third prime minister since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. He succeeds Yulia Svyrydenko, whose government stepped down after approximately one year in office.
Addressing parliament before the vote, Koretskyi identified defence, economic stability and Ukraine’s continued integration into the European Union as central priorities for his administration. His government will also be expected to accelerate domestic weapons production and ensure that international assistance is deployed effectively.
FROM ENERGY EXECUTIVE TO PRIME MINISTER
Unlike many senior Ukrainian officials, the 48-year-old Koretskyi has not previously served in elected office, the civil service or a political party. An engineer and economist by training, he built his career over more than 20 years across oil production, refining, fuel retail, wholesale management and international finance.
Before entering the state-owned energy sector, Koretskyi held senior positions at Western Oil Group, Continuum Group and WOG, one of Ukraine’s largest petrol-station operators. Born in the western city of Lutsk, he also founded a coffee-chain business.
His national profile grew after he was appointed to lead oil producer Ukrnafta and refinery operator Ukrtatnafta in 2022. Under his leadership, Ukrnafta reported record profits, settled tax debts, expanded production and increased its contribution to Ukraine’s wartime economy and military requirements.
Koretskyi was subsequently appointed CEO of Naftogaz in May 2025, taking control of the state energy group responsible for much of Ukraine’s gas production, imports and domestic supply. He led the company as Russian attacks continued to damage production facilities and place pressure on national energy reserves.
A DIFFICULT WINTER AHEAD
Preparing Ukraine for the coming winter is expected to be one of Koretskyi’s most urgent assignments. The country’s energy infrastructure has faced sustained Russian bombardment, while limited air-defence resources have increased the vulnerability of power and gas facilities.
Zelenskyy said Koretskyi’s experience at Ukrnafta and Naftogaz made him well suited to the task, noting that Ukraine had maintained gas supplies through the previous winter despite repeated attacks. The president has instructed the new government to protect essential services, strengthen the energy system and implement agreements with international partners more quickly.
The reshuffle has nevertheless generated domestic controversy. Demonstrators gathered in Kyiv and other cities to oppose the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had been associated with Ukraine’s development of drone capabilities. The protests underline the political challenges facing Koretskyi as he moves from corporate management into the complex leadership of a wartime government.
His appointment represents a bet on operational expertise at a moment when Ukraine requires both resilience and execution. Koretskyi must now demonstrate whether the crisis-management approach that shaped his energy career can translate into national leadership amid war, economic constraints and continuing pressure on the country’s infrastructure.
Source: Reuters
