Ukraine's Zelensky taps Naftogaz CEO Koretskyi as next prime minister after dismissing Svyrydenko
Serhii Koretskyi, chief executive of state energy company Naftogaz Ukraine, emerged as the confirmed frontrunner to become Ukraine's next prime minister after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Yulia Svyrydenko; Kyiv lawmakers were preparing for a parliamentary vote on the new government, with Svyrydenko tapped for a new role overseeing cooperation with Ukraine's key partners
أضف إلى قائمة
لا قوائم بعد.
Summary
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on July 12, 2026, a move that caught some Verkhovna Rada lawmakers off guard. Within hours, Naftogaz Ukraine CEO Serhii Koretskyi emerged as the frontrunner to replace her. The Kyiv Independent cited a senior official and a person familiar with the matter confirming that Koretskyi had been chosen and had given his consent to Volodymyr Zelensky. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov was separately rumoured as a candidate for the role of Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction. Svyrydenko, who had held the post since July 2025, was set to take on a new role overseeing cooperation with Ukraine's key partners, with the US ambassadorship among the roles discussed. Ukrainian lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada were preparing for a vote on the new government.
The split
Ukrainian outlets including the Kyiv Independent and UNN focused on the political mechanics: Koretskyi's energy-sector background at Naftogaz, and Terekhov's potential reconstruction role. The Reuters wire, picked up across North American and Australian outlets, played up the "shock" of the dismissal for international audiences. No source reported opposition from parliamentary factions.
By the numbers
- 1 year, Svyrydenko's time as prime minister before dismissal.
- 2, Naftogaz positions that defined Koretskyi: he ran the state gas company before being put forward for PM.
- 1, reported candidate for Vice PM for Reconstruction: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Why it matters
Koretskyi's energy background at Naftogaz is notable: Ukraine faces a fifth winter of war, with Russian strikes repeatedly targeting the energy grid, and Naftogaz is central to heating and gas supply. A PM drawn from the energy sector signals that reconstruction and energy resilience, not just military coordination, are being prioritised. Svyrydenko's likely move to an ambassadorial role keeps her inside the wartime foreign-policy machinery rather than sidelining her.
What to watch
- The Verkhovna Rada vote on the new government and its composition, expected within days.
- Confirmation of Svyrydenko's new assignment, including whether she takes the US ambassador role.
- How Koretskyi positions Naftogaz policy, including gas storage targets ahead of winter.