Ukraine: A Prime Minister with no political ambitions?

Ukraine has appointed Serhij Korezkyj as its new prime minister following the resignation of Julia Swyrydenko and her government. The parliament formally named him on Thursday, marking a shift in leadership amid ongoing challenges related to energy security and political stability. Korezkyj, 48, is a businessman and top manager who rose through the ranks of Ukraine’s state-owned energy sector, eventually becoming the head of Naftogaz, the country's largest energy company. Korezkyj began his career as a security officer with the fuel group "Kontynium," gradually moving into higher management roles. He later took charge of the gas station chain WOG from 2013 to 2018 before founding the Ukrainian café chain "Idealist Coffee & Co." and co-founding the Swiss energy trading firm "Centurion Group SA." Since April 2025, he has led Naftogaz, having successfully guided its subsidiary Ukrnafta out of massive financial losses and back under state control. According to Wolodymyr Fesenko of the Ukrainian Center for Applied Political Research "Penta," Korezkyj is currently the best option for the role of prime minister. Fesenko notes that Korezkyj’s greatest strength lies in his reputation as a strong crisis manager. This was evident during his tenure at Ukrnafta, where he transformed the company from a financially and organizationally unstable entity under the influence of oligarch Ihor Kolomojskyj into a state-controlled operation within one year. Fesenko further highlights Korezkyj’s proven track record at Naftogaz, particularly during the previous winter. Despite constant Russian attacks on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, the company managed to secure gas production and supply for large parts of the country. This performance impressed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leading to Korezkyj being considered a top candidate for the position of prime minister. Experts emphasize that both representatives of Zelenskyy’s team and opposition figures praise Korezkyj’s professional skills. Observers note that Korezkyj maintains political neutrality, lacking connections to specific political factions or oligarchic groups. This neutrality is seen as a key advantage, suggesting he will likely serve as a more technocratic rather than politically ambitious leader. In contrast to his predecessor, Julia Swyrydenko, Korezkyj is known to favor greater administrative independence. He tends to make decisions regarding personnel and unresolved issues independently, rather than seeking approval from the president for every detail. This approach aligns with Zelenskyy’s preferences, according to reports. Wadym Denysenko of the Ukrainian online portal DSNews describes Korezkyj as a “technocrat through and through.” He emphasizes that Korezkyj is a workaholic who clearly defines tasks and holds high standards for their execution. While he may not perform miracles, Denysenko believes he can reliably prevent disasters. However, Denysenko acknowledges that the biggest challenge for the new premier is the lack of an established team. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic that Korezkyj’s appointment could prove beneficial, especially during the anticipated difficult winter conditions. The main task of Korezkyj’s government will be stabilizing the energy sector. It is expected that Russia will continue or even expand its strategy of destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which could lead to severe heating problems for public and private buildings during the winter.