President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially identified the current head of Naftogaz, Serhiy Koretskyi, as the most prepared candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine during a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as cited in the official statement from the President’s Office. This announcement follows the recent resignation of Yulia Svyrydenko, which triggered the automatic resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the current priority for the new government is preparation for a challenging winter and strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities. Koretskyi, who has demonstrated strong crisis management skills while overseeing state-owned energy assets during the full-scale invasion, is viewed as a pragmatic choice. His potential appointment is seen as an effort to streamline government functions, particularly regarding energy security and the coordination of the defense industry. The President underscored that the state must move quickly to force Russia toward a ceasefire, a goal that requires seamless synergy between the military command, the Ministry of Defense, and the civilian government.
The selection process involves intense consultations with the “Servant of the People” faction, military leadership, and key figures within the administration. The President highlighted that, moving forward, the focus must remain on unity and efficiency. The Ministry of Defense is expected to align its strategic vision with the army’s requirements to better address threats to Ukrainian airspace and critical infrastructure. The restructuring of the Cabinet is not merely a change of personnel but a strategic repositioning designed to navigate the economic and security pressures of the ongoing war. Whether Koretskyi will successfully translate his corporate experience into state-level policy remains to be seen, but the administration is clearly prioritizing professional managerial competence to weather the upcoming winter and beyond.