KYIV, July 16. /Dunyo IA/. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament) today appointed Sergii Koretsky, chairman of the board of the state energy company “Naftogaz Ukraine”, as the country’s new prime minister, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The decision was approved by 289 lawmakers, exceeding the required minimum of 226 votes, Ukrainian parliamentarian Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on his Telegram-channel.

Speaking in parliament, Sergii Koretsky said he wants the new Cabinet of Ministers to become a “government of defense, economic development, and European integration.” He also acknowledged that he understands the coming winter in Ukraine could be more difficult than the previous one.

Sergii Koretsky is 48 years old. He was born in Lutsk, Volyn Region, where he also studied at the National Technical University. In 2007, he became CEO of the “Continuum Group” and headed the company until 2013. At that time, the holding included more than 200 various companies across Ukraine. Later, he served as head of “Ukrnafta,” Ukraine’s largest oil and gas production company, as well as “Ukrtatnafta,” the country’s largest oil refining company. In May 2025, Sergii Koretsky became chairman of the board of “Naftogaz Ukraine” after winning a competitive selection process for the position.