The Ukrainian Parliament voted on Thursday for Serhii Koretsky as Prime Minister. Former director of the state energy company Naftogaz, he takes over the government at a difficult time, marked by the war with Russia, preparations for winter, and controversies related to changes in the Executive.
Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the proposal to appoint Serhii Koretsky to Parliament last night, after the Verkhovna Rada approved the resignation of Yulia Sviridenko as Prime Minister on Tuesday, leading to the resignation of the entire government.
Serhii Koretsky's candidacy was supported by 289 out of the 392 deputies present. One parliamentarian voted against, seven abstained, and another 21 did not cast their vote.
Also expected on Thursday is the approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers, as reported by Kiev Independent.
The leader of the parliamentary group "Servant of the People," David Arakhamia, stated that Koretsky's experience in the energy sector will be essential, especially as Ukraine prepares for "its most challenging winter in history."
Serhii Koretsky began his career in the private fuel sector, leading the Continuum group and the WOG gas station network since 2013. He also founded the Ukrainian coffee chain Idealist Coffee Co.
Between 2022 and 2025, he headed the state energy companies Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, and since May 2025, he has been the CEO of Naftogaz. In this role, he has been responsible for maintaining the operation of the Ukrainian energy system despite repeated Russian attacks on production infrastructure.
Although analysts and parliamentarians acknowledge his professional reputation, Koretsky's appointment is overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the changes in the Government.
Zelensky dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Wednesday, appointed just a few months ago and whom he appreciated, with the Ukrainian press reporting that he could no longer tolerate the constant conflict between him and the Chief of the General Staff, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The President's decision triggered protests on Thursday in several cities across Ukraine.