Zelensky Picks Naftogaz CEO Koretskyi as 3rd PM Replacement, Citing Winter Threats
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Independent · Jul 17
Zelensky Picks Naftogaz CEO Koretskyi as 3rd PM Replacement, Citing Winter Threats
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Independent · Jul 17
Summary
Yulia Svyrydenko was forced out less than a year into the job, and Zelensky moved to install Naftogaz chief Serhiy Koretskyi to steer Ukraine through the next winter.
Zelensky framed the reshuffle around energy security, saying preparation for winter is "extremely important" after the 2025-26 season left millions without heat or electricity and temperatures near -30C.
Koretskyi's energy-sector background fits that priority, but the report says the prime minister's office has been reduced to an operational arm of the presidential administration, with loyalty favored over independent authority.
226 votes are needed to confirm a prime minister, yet Zelensky's Servant of the People party can reportedly muster only 160 to 180, leaving the appointment dependent on opposition support.
Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn argues the reshuffle tests Ukraine's democratic checks and balances as the country balances wartime resilience, winter readiness and parliamentary legitimacy.
As Ukraine braces for winter, why oust the popular minister who spearheaded its drone warfare success?
Can an energy CEO fix the grid while a military shake-up risks Ukraine's battlefield edge?
Can Ukraine’s bottom-up battlefield innovation survive a top-down government reshuffle prioritizing loyalty?
Ukraine’s 2026 Cabinet Shake-Up: Koretskyi’s Appointment, Fedorov’s Dismissal, and the Battle for Energy Security Amid Wartime Crisis
Overview
On July 15, 2026, President Zelenskyy launched a major government reshuffle, appointing Serhii Koretskyi as Ukraine’s new Prime Minister. Koretskyi, known for his good reputation, was positively received by analysts and lawmakers. This overhaul marks a pivotal moment for Zelenskyy’s administration, signaling possible shifts in policy and governance. However, the controversial dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov triggered widespread public protests, highlighting deep public discontent. The changes reflect both the urgency to address national challenges and the complex balance between leadership decisions and public sentiment during a critical period for Ukraine.