The Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has confirmed the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi as the country’s new prime minister. 289 deputies voted for his election.
Koretskyi comes to the head of the government from the position of executive director of the state energy company Naftogaz, while previously he also headed Ukrnafta, the largest oil producer in Ukraine.
He has not built a political career, but has more than two decades of experience in the private sector, the media write.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the priorities of the new government will be preparing for the upcoming winter, protecting energy infrastructure, stabilizing the economy, and more efficient management of international aid.
Speaking to deputies, Koretskyi said the government will focus on fully supplying the armed forces, strengthening the military industry, supporting citizens and the social system, especially for residents near the front line.
He emphasized that preparing for the heating season and maintaining economic stability will be among the main tasks, along with deepening cooperation with international partners and implementing housing programs.
At the end of 2022, he took over the leadership of Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, turning the companies from multi-year losses into record profits, with increased production and modernization of assets.
In 2025 he was appointed head of Naftogaz, where he increased gas reserves to over 13 billion cubic meters and secured billions of euros in financing from international financial institutions, although plans to increase production were thwarted by Russian attacks.
Now, the biggest challenge for the new prime minister will be to prove that he can apply his managerial experience in leading Ukraine during wartime, while simultaneously securing political support and cooperation with international partners. /Telegraph/