Sergii Koretskyi was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Ukraine amid the war with Russia

The Ukrainian Parliament approved on Thursday the appointment of Sergii Koretskyi as the new Prime Minister of the country, at a time marked by the war against Russia, the need to strengthen national defense, and the progress of negotiations for integration into the European Union. The designation, pushed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, received broad legislative support, with 289 votes in favor and only one against, making Koretskyi the third head of the Ukrainian government since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

His arrival in office comes just two days after the departure of the previous Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, whose resignation automatically triggered the resignation of the cabinet, according to Ukrainian legislation. Zelensky has taken advantage of this reorganization to push for a profound renewal of the Executive, aiming to adapt the state apparatus to a new stage of the conflict.

Before the parliamentary vote, Koretskyi presented the main lines of his future government and assured that his priorities will be to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities, maintain economic stability, and accelerate the process of joining the European Union.

After being confirmed in office, the new Prime Minister reiterated those commitments in a message posted on social media X. He pointed out that strengthening the Armed Forces will be the immediate goal of his administration and stated that he will work to expand the production of the national defense industry, with special attention to developing capabilities for long-range attacks.

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of preparing the country for the upcoming winter, ensuring timely payment of pensions and social assistance, sustaining the operation of essential public services, and supporting both businesses and communities near the front lines. He also promised to maintain close cooperation with international allies to secure new financial resources and efficiently utilize the assistance received by Ukraine.

The governmental restructuring also reached the Ministry of Defense. Zelensky announced the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara, the current interim head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as acting Minister of Defense and confirmed that he will request the Parliament for his final ratification.

The president explained that the SBU has demonstrated a remarkable ability to carry out long-range operations against targets in Russian territory and considered that this experience will be key to driving reforms in the defense sector and strengthening the country's war effort.

However, the changes in the Executive also provoked internal criticism. During the day, several citizens took to the streets to protest the dismissal of the previous Minister of Defense, reflecting the ongoing debate about the reorganization of the Government amid the conflict.

Meanwhile, the war continues to impose a high human cost. On Thursday, Ukraine and Russia conducted a new exchange of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

Ukrainian authorities reported that they recovered the remains of 501 military personnel, while Russian state media indicated that Moscow received the bodies of 31 soldiers. According to Kiev, since the beginning of 2025 approximately 21,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers have been repatriated, compared to just over 600 Russian soldiers handed over to Moscow. Both governments continue to keep their official casualty figures secret since the beginning of the invasion.

Who is Sergii Koretskyi?

Sergii Koretskyi was born in Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, in 1978, and developed practically his entire career in the energy sector, without previously holding high-level political positions.

His career began in private companies linked to the oil and gas industry. In 2007, he took over the management of the management firm Continuum and, six years later, was appointed director of the Western Oil Group, operator of a major chain of gas stations based in Lutsk.

After the start of the war, the Ukrainian government turned to his experience to lead two strategic state-owned companies: Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, which he took over in November 2022.

During his management, both companies increased oil and gas production and significantly improved their financial results. These achievements led to his appointment, in May 2025, as CEO of Naftogaz, Ukraine's main national oil and gas company.

The company itself highlighted that, under his leadership, Ukrnafta became profitable again and achieved record profit figures, consolidating Koretskyi's reputation as an efficient manager specialized in the administration of strategic companies.

Now, with his arrival at the head of the Government, Zelensky is betting on transferring that management experience to the entire state at a decisive moment for Ukraine, as the country seeks to maintain Western support, sustain the military effort against Russia, and advance towards full integration into the European Union.