Ukraine turns to state energy company chief Serhiy Koretsky as new prime minister during Russia war

Amid its four-year war with Russia, Ukraine has replaced its prime minister. Naftogaz chief Serhiy Koretsky was appointed the new PM on Thursday, taking over from Yulia Svyrydenko.

More than four years into the war between Russia and Ukraine, there is still no resolution in sight. Both sides continue to report soldiers and civilians killed and widespread destruction. Amid this ongoing conflict, Ukraine has made a major change at the top of its government, naming a new prime minister on Thursday.

Who is the new PM, Serhiy Koretsky?
Serhiy Koretsky has been the head of Naftogaz, Ukraine's state-run energy company. His rise to the post of prime minister is being seen as unusual because he did not come up through a political party, parliament or the administrative service. He studied engineering and built his career in the world of business. He is regarded as an effective crisis manager, having turned around several struggling state enterprises in Ukraine and moved them from losses into profit. Before this, he also worked in the management of the fuel and food industries.

He replaces Yulia Svyrydenko
Serhiy Koretsky is taking over from Yulia Svyrydenko, who served as prime minister from 2025 to July 2026. In the vote held in parliament, 289 votes were cast in his favour. Koretsky is the third prime minister of Ukraine during the ongoing war with Russia.

Why Zelensky handed him this responsibility
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has given Serhiy Koretsky the responsibility of steering the country through the difficult conditions of the coming winter. Zelensky has argued that Koretsky is the best person to help Ukraine through the war during the approaching winter months. However, the new prime minister now faces the biggest challenge of his career. Business acumen alone will not be enough for this role; he will also need to show mastery of political skill, diplomacy and the manoeuvring that comes with power. Ukraine continues to struggle on two fronts at once, a shortage of money and the ongoing war with Russia.

Protests followed the sacking of a minister
Before this appointment, Zelensky had dismissed Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that triggered large protests outside the country's parliament. It is against this backdrop that Serhiy Koretsky has now been handed command of the prime minister's office.

Koretsky's task now is to prove that his managerial experience can translate into the political arena as well. His track record of turning loss-making state enterprises profitable during crises does offer some reassurance, but running a country at war is a far more complex undertaking than running a business. The coming months will show how well Serhiy Koretsky lives up to the trust Zelensky has placed in him.

Questions & Answers

1. Who has been named Ukraine's new prime minister?
Serhiy Koretsky was made Ukraine's new prime minister on Thursday.

2. What did Serhiy Koretsky do before becoming PM?
He was head of Ukraine's state-run energy company Naftogaz and had earlier worked in the management of the fuel and food industries.

3. Who is he replacing as prime minister?
He is taking over from Yulia Svyrydenko, who served as prime minister from 2025 to July 2026.

4. How many votes did Koretsky get in parliament?
In the parliamentary vote, 289 votes were cast in his favour.

5. What responsibility has President Zelensky given him?
Zelensky has tasked him with steering Ukraine through the difficult conditions of the coming winter.

6. What controversy preceded Koretsky's appointment?
Zelensky had earlier dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that triggered large protests outside parliament.

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