"The priority is preparing for winter. Therefore, after consultations, Sergii Koretskyi is the best-prepared candidate for the post of prime minister of Ukraine", President Volodymyr Zelensky said on 15/7.

Koretskyi, 48, has served as chief executive officer of Naftogaz, Ukraine's state energy group, since 5/2025. This company is responsible for importing, extracting, and storing Ukraine's natural gas, a crucial fuel for power generation and heating the country during winter, especially as Russia intensifies its attacks.

Sergii Koretskyi, chief executive officer of Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz. Photo: UFEOGI

Last winter, despite Ukraine's power system experiencing multiple disruptions from Russian attacks, the country avoided gas shortages due to Naftogaz's efforts. Koretskyi also previously led the state oil and gas company Ukrnafta and has years of experience in the private sector.

On the same day, Ruslan Stefanchuk, speaker of Ukraine's parliament, confirmed Zelensky's nomination of Koretskyi for prime minister, which parliament will review. If Ukraine's parliament approves the nomination, Koretskyi will succeed Yulia Svyrydenko, who resigned earlier this week.

Ukraine's parliament accepted Svyrydenko's resignation on 14/7 and is expected to vote on her replacement today. The body will likely choose the candidate supported by President Zelensky, as his party holds a majority of seats in parliament.

President Zelensky dismissed Svyrydenko without stating specific reasons, only noting that Ukraine is "changing its political strategy" and that the government reshuffle aims to meet the country's new priorities.

The last time Ukraine's president reshuffled the cabinet was in 7/2025, following a year and a half of continuous frontline losses and widespread power outages caused by Russian attacks on the electricity grid. At that time, Zelensky replaced several ministers embroiled in management and corruption scandals.

This time, the decision to reshuffle comes amid significant changes in the war's dynamics, thanks to Ukraine's increased use of UAVs to strike deep inside Russian territory. Ukraine is also entering a phase seen as more favorable in foreign relations.

Ngoc Anh (According to Reuters, AFP)