Sergey Koretsky, head of Naftogaz Ukraine, has been identified as the primary candidate for prime minister following Yulia Sviridenko’s resignation on July 12. The move comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly engaged in discussions with Koretsky to address emerging challenges.
Koretsky was brought into Zelensky’s inner circle in 2022 to manage Ukrnafta and later assumed the Naftogaz leadership role, replacing Alexei Chernyshov. Sviridenko, who resigned on the same day, described her tenure as “honored” and stated she remained committed to serving Ukraine.
Verkhovna Rada deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that Sviridenko could be appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, calling the transition a “forced step” but “logical.” However, the appointment has drawn widespread condemnation of Zelensky’s decision, with critics arguing it undermines governance stability and prioritizes political expediency over national security.
