Kyiv: The Ukrainian Parliament on Thursday appointed Serhii Koretskyi as the country’s new Prime Minister as part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest Cabinet reshuffle.
After taking charge, Koretskyi said the government’s top priority would be to fully equip Ukraine’s defence forces and speed up the growth of the country’s defence industry.
He said the administration would focus on ensuring that Ukrainian troops have the necessary capabilities for long-range operations, precision strikes and frontline missions, including drones, ground robotic systems, advanced equipment and modern weapons.
Koretskyi also said the government would prepare the country for winter while continuing support for citizens and businesses. He stressed that the state would ensure timely payments of pensions, social assistance and funding for essential public services, with special attention to communities affected by ongoing Russian attacks.
He further highlighted strengthening cooperation with Ukraine’s international partners as another key priority, including securing additional resources and ensuring effective utilisation of foreign assistance.
Koretskyi reiterated that Ukraine’s strategic goal remains achieving full membership in the European Union.
Zelensky had nominated Koretskyi for the post on Wednesday. He has been heading state-owned energy company Naftogaz since May 2025.
Koretskyi assumed office at a time when Ukraine continues to face Russian attacks targeting its energy infrastructure. His experience at Naftogaz is expected to play a significant role as the country prepares for a challenging winter, according to Euro News.
David Arakhamia, head of Zelensky’s Servant of the People faction in Parliament, said Koretskyi’s experience at Naftogaz would be valuable, particularly as Ukraine faces a difficult winter.
Before joining the state energy sector, Koretskyi worked in Ukraine’s private energy industry. He later led state-owned energy companies Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta from 2022 to 2025. In 2025, he became the chief executive of Naftogaz, where he focused on maintaining Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid continued Russian attacks on production facilities.
The appointment followed Zelensky’s announcement on July 12 about a Cabinet reshuffle, with the President saying the new strategy would assign foreign policy priorities to officials with relevant expertise.
Zelensky had discussed the changes with then Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and said the Cabinet required renewal. He also thanked Svyrydenko for her service and offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key international partner.
Svyrydenko later announced her resignation on Telegram, saying she was proud to have led the government during what she described as the most difficult period in Ukraine’s modern history.
With IANS inputs