Le successeur de Julia Sviridenko sera-t-il le directeur de Naftogaz, Sergueï Korecki ?

Kijev, The Ukrainian parliament has confirmed the resignation of Prime Minister Julia Sviridenko, marking the end of her tenure as head of government. This follows President Volodymyr Zelensky’s announcement earlier this week of a cabinet reshuffle, which was expected to take place after parliamentary approval. While Zelensky has not yet disclosed who will succeed Sviridenko, reports suggest that Sergey Korytsky, director of the state energy company Naftogaz, is being considered as the likely candidate. Sviridenko, 40, served as prime minister since July 2023, succeeding Denis Smirnov, who had been appointed by Zelensky before Russia's military aggression began. During her time in office, she oversaw key economic reforms and coordinated efforts with international partners. In her farewell speech to parliamentarians and government agencies, she thanked colleagues for their collaboration, acknowledged Zelensky’s trust, and expressed gratitude to the military for national defense. She emphasized that one of the greatest challenges facing the new government would be navigating through the winter, a period during which Ukraine is intensifying its preparations. According to media reports, Zelensky met with Korytsky last weekend following his announcement of the cabinet reshuffle. He praised the director’s effective leadership in managing “extremely complex sectors.” Korytsky has led Naftogaz since May 2024, overseeing critical energy operations amid ongoing war-related disruptions. His potential appointment signals a shift toward greater focus on domestic infrastructure and energy security within the government. The parliamentary session to approve the new cabinet is expected to take place on July 16. Until then, former Prime Minister Smirnov will serve as acting head of government. Smirnov, who previously held the position under Zelensky, played a central role in early crisis management during the Russian invasion. His interim leadership is seen as a stabilizing factor ahead of the formal transition. Sviridenko’s departure marks the end of a pivotal chapter in Ukraine’s political landscape. As a former deputy prime minister and minister of economy, she contributed significantly to shaping policies that supported both economic resilience and wartime preparedness. Her leadership coincided with some of the most challenging phases of the conflict, including supply chain disruptions and heightened geopolitical tensions. Zelensky’s decision to reshuffle the cabinet comes amid growing pressure to streamline governance and enhance coordination between different branches of the state. The proposed changes reflect broader strategic goals, including strengthening ties with key allies and reinforcing internal administrative efficiency. However, the exact composition of the new government remains unclear, with officials maintaining a degree of secrecy around the selection process. As the country prepares for another winter, the focus remains on ensuring stability and continuity in governance. With the parliamentary vote approaching, all eyes are on whether Korytsky’s potential appointment will bring a new direction to Ukraine’s leadership structure. For now, the nation continues to navigate the complexities of war and recovery, with each step forward shaped by the decisions made in Kyiv.