Ukraine confirms Naftogaz chief as new prime minister

Ukraine's parliament on July 16 approved the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi as the country's new prime minister, backing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nominee to lead the government at a critical stage of the war.

A total of 289 lawmakers voted in favor of Koretskyi's appointment, while one voted against, seven abstained, and 21 did not participate in the vote.

Koretskyi, who has served as chief executive of state energy company Naftogaz since May 2025, was nominated by Zelenskyy on July 15. His Cabinet is expected to be approved later on July 16.

The appointment comes as Ukraine continues to confront mounting wartime challenges, particularly in the energy sector ahead of another winter of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

Commenting on the nomination, David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskyy's Servant of the People faction in parliament, said Koretskyi's background in the energy industry would be a major asset.

"His experience at Naftogaz will be invaluable, especially now as Ukraine prepares for what could be the most difficult winter in its history," Arakhamia said on July 15.

Analysts and lawmakers have generally described Koretskyi as a respected manager with a strong professional reputation. However, his appointment was overshadowed by controversy surrounding the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had been widely regarded as highly effective. Zelenskyy's decision to remove Fedorov sparked nationwide protests on July 16.

Before joining the state energy sector, Koretskyi built his career in Ukraine's private fuel industry. In 2013, he became chief executive of the Continuum Group and its WOG gas station network, and also founded the Ukrainian coffee chain Idealist Coffee Co.

From 2022 to 2025, he headed the state-owned energy companies Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta before taking over as Naftogaz CEO, where his tenure has focused on maintaining Ukraine's energy infrastructure amid continued Russian strikes on production facilities.

By Vafa Guliyeva