Meet Sergii Koretskyi: Ukraine’s New Prime Minister and the Energy Expert Behind the Reshuffle

Ukraine has a new leader at the helm of its government, and his background offers a telling clue about the country’s priorities in a time of war. Sergii Koretskyi, Ukraine’s new Prime Minister, was confirmed on Thursday as part of a sweeping government reshuffle led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. His appointment signals a deliberate pivot toward energy resilience, defense, and deeper ties with international partners.

For a nation bracing against Russian attacks and preparing for another brutal winter, the choice of an energy executive to lead the government is anything but coincidental.

A Decisive Confirmation

Koretskyi’s rise was formalized with a strong show of parliamentary support. His appointment, backed by Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, sailed through the Ukrainian parliament with 289 members voting in his favor.

Wasting no time, the new Prime Minister laid out a clear set of priorities upon taking office. His central goal, he said, is to fully equip Ukraine’s Defense Forces and accelerate the expansion of the country’s defense industrial base. Beyond military strength, he emphasized the importance of deepening relationships with international partners and securing additional resources to sustain the war effort.

He also made clear that Ukraine’s broader ambitions remain firm. The country’s strategic course is unchanged, he stressed, pointing to its long-held goal of achieving full membership in the European Union.

The Strategy Behind the Reshuffle

Koretskyi’s appointment is just one piece of a larger reorganization. Zelensky’s broader government reshuffle, which included the surprise decision to replace popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, is designed to sharpen Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts and speed up the implementation of military support agreements.

One agreement in particular looms large. Ukraine hopes to begin manufacturing Patriot missile interceptors after President Donald Trump announced at the recent NATO summit in Turkey that the US would grant Ukraine a license to produce the defensive weaponry. The stakes are high, as the country continues to defend itself against relentless Russian assaults.

Zelensky framed the reshuffle around accountability and expertise, explaining that each priority area of foreign policy would be assigned to a specific, experienced person capable of delivering results. Among the most important of these, he said, is the relationship with the United States and the agreements on licenses to manufacture Patriot systems.

Preparing for a Hard Winter

Another pressing concern shaped the reshuffle: the coming winter. Years of Russian strikes have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions vulnerable during the coldest months.

Zelensky identified winter preparations as an extremely important priority, insisting that Ukraine must be ready for every threat that may arise. It’s precisely here that Koretskyi’s expertise becomes invaluable — and helps explain why he was chosen to lead.

An Energy Career, Not a Political One

Unlike many who ascend to high office, Koretskyi has never held elected office. Instead, his experience was forged entirely within Ukraine’s energy sector, giving him a specialized skill set at a moment when energy security is a matter of national survival.

His résumé is deeply rooted in the industry:

• Since May 2025, he has served as CEO of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state oil and gas company responsible for much of the country’s gas production, imports, and supply
• Before that, he directed the oil refinery operator Ukrtatnafta and Ukrnafta, Ukraine’s leading oil-producing company
• Earlier, he headed the Western Oil Group and served as CEO of the Continuum Group

His education matches his career path, with degrees in mechanical engineering and business economics from Lutsk Technical University, along with a degree in oil and gas production from Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas.

A Track Record That Speaks for Itself

Koretskyi’s record as an energy executive is widely seen as a major asset, backed by concrete achievements. An audit published in 2024 found that Ukrnafta generated a net profit of 23.6 billion Ukrainian hryvnia — roughly $529 million — under his leadership in 2023.

His ability to attract financing stands out as well. In 2024, Ukrnafta secured an €80 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to build a distributed gas-generation system, demonstrating exactly the kind of resourcefulness Ukraine needs to rebuild and endure.

Building an International Profile

Koretskyi arrives in office already known on the world stage, having cultivated important international ties through his energy work.

In February, he announced that Naftogaz had, for the first time, begun importing American liquefied natural gas through a terminal in Lithuania, aiming to increase the reliability and continuity of gas supplies to Ukrainian consumers. The move reflected his focus on the recurring winter crisis facing the country.

During his time as CEO of the state energy company, he also became a prominent public voice on the toll of Russia’s attacks. Since the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has come under repeated assault, with the United Nations reporting that millions of Ukrainians have endured prolonged power shortages during the coldest months. Earlier this year, much of Kyiv was left without electricity as Russian strikes triggered widespread outages across the capital.

Marking the anniversary of the invasion in February, Koretskyi spoke of four years of continuous attacks on energy infrastructure and the daily work of keeping homes warm — a testament, he said, to the endurance and resilience of the entire country.

Strengthening Ties With Washington

Koretskyi’s diplomatic engagement with the United States has been especially active, positioning him well for the agreements now at the heart of Zelensky’s strategy.

In March, he met with a delegation from the US Department of the Treasury to discuss expanding financial instruments for purchasing American LNG and equipment. Three months later, Naftogaz signed an agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the United States. According to Koretskyi, that document provided for the potential mobilization of up to $300 million to buy American equipment needed to restore Ukrainian oil and gas infrastructure destroyed by Russia.

A Trusted Figure in Zelensky’s Circle

Beyond his technical expertise, Koretskyi has become a prominent and trusted presence within Zelensky’s inner circle, frequently representing Ukraine’s energy sector abroad.

He was part of the delegation that accompanied Zelensky to the NATO summit, where the Ukrainian President met with world leaders, including Trump. Reflecting his growing role, Koretskyi noted afterward that work was underway to ensure the agreements reached would deliver practical results for the country.

His diplomatic contributions have been tangible. At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland in late June, he met with world leaders and helped secure meaningful outcomes for Naftogaz and Ukraine’s energy sector as a whole. By the close of that conference, he reported that a total of 12 agreements had been signed to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience and advance critically important projects. He has also regularly briefed Zelensky on the energy sector while helping coordinate efforts to bolster the country’s resilience.

Why Koretskyi, Why Now

The logic behind the appointment comes into sharp focus when viewed through the lens of Ukraine’s immediate challenges. As Zelensky put it, if the country is heading into winter, it must be ready — and preparations have been underway for some time.

The President was direct about his reasoning, saying that after all the consultations, Koretskyi is probably the best-prepared person to serve as Ukraine’s Prime Minister. For a leader whose expertise lies precisely in keeping the lights on and the heat flowing amid constant attack, the timing could hardly be more fitting.

Warm Welcomes at Home and Abroad

Koretskyi’s appointment drew gracious responses from those around him. Outgoing Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described her time in government as an honor, while leaders across the world welcomed her successor.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen offered a notably warm endorsement, expressing confidence that Koretskyi would place Ukraine’s European integration at the heart of the country’s transformation and promising full support as he advances an ambitious reform agenda.

The Bigger Picture

As Ukraine’s third wartime Prime Minister, Koretskyi steps into a role defined by extraordinary pressure and high stakes. His appointment brings together several of the country’s most urgent needs:

• Fully equipping the Defense Forces and expanding the domestic defense industry
• Securing and manufacturing critical weaponry like Patriot interceptors
• Preparing the nation’s battered energy grid for another harsh winter
• Advancing Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership

Looking Ahead

Koretskyi’s rise reflects a clear-eyed assessment of what Ukraine needs most right now. His deep expertise in energy, proven ability to secure international financing, and established relationships in Washington and Europe make him well suited to the moment.

The challenges ahead are immense, from sustaining the defense effort to shielding civilians from the cold as Russian strikes continue. But in choosing an energy expert with a track record of resilience and results, Zelensky has signaled that Ukraine intends to meet those challenges head-on. Whether Koretskyi can translate his corporate success into effective wartime governance remains to be seen, yet his appointment offers Ukraine a leader whose skills are matched precisely to the trials the country now faces.