Zelensky Calls Koretsky ‘Most Prepared’ as Parliament Receives His Prime Minister Nomination

Documents nominating Serhiy Koretsky, the current CEO of Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Naftogaz, as the country’s next prime minister have been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada.

Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced the move on social media on Wednesday evening, July 15.

“The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has received a submission from President Volodymyr Zelensky proposing the appointment of Serhiy Koretsky as Prime Minister of Ukraine. Parliament will consider the nomination in the near future in accordance with the established procedure,” Stefanchuk wrote.

Earlier on July 15, Zelensky said he believes Koretsky is the best candidate to lead the government after extensive consultations.

Speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv, Zelensky said Ukraine’s immediate priorities are preparing for winter and strengthening efforts to secure a ceasefire.

“After all the consultations, Serhiy Koretsky is probably the most prepared person for the position of Prime Minister of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

According to RBC-Ukraine outlet, lawmakers could approve the full composition of the new government by Thursday evening.

At a minimum, the outlet reported, parliament is expected to vote on Koretsky’s appointment as prime minister.

The reshuffle is also expected to include several cabinet changes. Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov is reportedly being considered to replace Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka. Veterans Affairs Minister Natalia Kalmykova could also be replaced, although no successor has been named.

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Fedorov Dismissed From Defense Minister Title as Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet

Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko is the leading candidate to take over Ukraine's Defense Ministry, according to sources.

According to the report, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is expected to be replaced by current Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

Fedorov left office on Wednesday as part of Zelensky’s sweeping government reshuffle following the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Appointed on Jan. 14 with a mandate to modernize the Armed Forces, his departure after just six months brings an abrupt end to one of Ukraine’s most ambitious wartime military reform efforts.

According to lawmakers cited by Ukrainska Pravda, Zelensky dismissed Fedorov due to an unresolved conflict with Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky over the ministry’s support for frontline operations.

Zelensky reportedly said he could not allow the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff to “fight each other” during wartime and also criticized Fedorov for failing to deliver the promised mobilization reform.

Ukraine’s parliament voted on Tuesday to dismiss Svyrydenko, automatically triggering the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers.

The vote followed Zelensky’s announcement on Sunday of a government reshuffle. Lawmakers are expected to vote on Svyrydenko’s successor on Thursday.

A total of 258 lawmakers backed her dismissal during Tuesday’s parliamentary session.

According to Interfax-Ukraine, Svyrydenko highlighted several achievements during her tenure, including securing a €90 billion ($103 billion) EU financial support package.

“The financial support of our partners gives us confidence this year and next,” she told parliament.

Svyrydenko also played a central role in negotiating the minerals agreement with the United States while serving as economy minister. She stepped down just days before the first anniversary of her appointment as prime minister on July 17, 2025.

Zelensky had reportedly considered appointing Svyrydenko as Ukraine’s envoy to Washington, but she declined the offer, according to sources cited by Ukrainska Pravda.