KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Wednesday that he is backing the chief executive of the country’s state-owned energy company to take over as prime minister, while leaving unanswered questions about the future of the nation’s defence minister.
Zelenskiy moved to remove Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko from her position this week, just one year after she took office. Parliament formally accepted her resignation on Tuesday and is set to vote on a replacement as soon as Thursday. The president has offered little explanation for the decision beyond saying he wants to bring fresh faces into leadership roles.
Addressing reporters in Kyiv, Zelenskiy named Sergii Koretskyi — the CEO of state energy giant Naftogaz — as his top choice to lead the government. The president cited Ukraine’s urgent need to get ready for the coming winter months as the primary reason for selecting someone with an energy background.
“The priorities are clear — preparing for winter,” Zelenskiy stated. “Therefore, following all the consultations, Sergii Koretskyi is surely the most prepared candidate for the post of prime minister of Ukraine.”
Because Zelenskiy’s political party holds a majority in parliament, lawmakers are widely expected to approve his preferred pick. Under Ukrainian law, when a prime minister steps down, the entire cabinet must also resign, meaning a broad reshuffling of government positions is anticipated.
Much of the speculation has centered on whether Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov will keep his job in the incoming cabinet. The 35-year-old, known as an advocate for technological innovation, came from outside the traditional defence establishment and has only been in the role for six months. His tenure has coincided with a period in which Ukraine has gained momentum on the battlefield, pressing an aggressive campaign of long-range drone strikes against Russia.
When asked directly whether Fedorov would remain as defence minister, Zelenskiy declined to give a straight answer. He said he planned to meet with Fedorov and military commanders later Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled meeting with members of his ruling party in parliament.
