Ukraine’s parliament approved the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi as the country’s new prime minister on July 16, 2026.
His candidacy received the support of 289 lawmakers, paving the way for the formation of a new government following the resignation of the previous cabinet.
The government reshuffle process began this week after parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on July 15, which resulted in the resignation of her entire cabinet.
Serhii Koretskyi is a Ukrainian executive with a long career in the energy sector and private business.
Since 2025, he has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s largest state-owned oil and gas company.
Before that, Koretskyi built extensive experience managing private companies and state-owned energy enterprises.
He holds three university degrees: in Automotive Engineering, Business Economics from Lutsk National Technical University, and Oil and Gas Production from Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas.
In 2019, he also completed an executive business administration program at the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School.
From Private Enterprise to State Leadership
Koretskyi spent nearly two decades working at Continuum Group (1997–2018), where he became head of the WOG fuel station network in 2013.
Under his leadership, the company expanded its services and developed new business models, including growth in the café and hospitality sector.
Later, he launched his own ventures, including the IDEALIST coffee chain and the Swiss energy trading company Centurion Group SA.
In November 2022, Koretskyi was appointed head of Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, where he led modernization projects, equipment upgrades, and the development of new drilling initiatives.
In April 2025, the supervisory board of Naftogaz appointed him as the company’s CEO.
Challenges Leading Ukraine During Wartime
Koretskyi takes over the Ukrainian government during a difficult period, as Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The strikes have caused significant damage to the gas sector and affected the country’s daily energy production.
His appointment is viewed as a move that brings a leader with strong managerial and energy-sector expertise to the top of government at a time when Ukraine faces major economic, security, and wartime challenges.
