Zelenskyy Ousts Premier, Considers Naftogaz Chief for the Role

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy removed Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle, and could tap a state energy executive or a former premier to replace her, according to people familiar with the matter.

(Bloomberg) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy removed Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle, and could tap a state energy executive or a former premier to replace her, according to people familiar with the matter. Zelenskyy is considering naming the chief executive officer of the state-run Naftogaz, Sergii Koretskyi, or former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the current energy minister, to the role, the people said, asking not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. “Personnel changes will begin in Ukraine to ensure the implementation of the updated political strategy,” Zelenskyy said Sunday in a post on X. The Ukrainian leader also said on Sunday that he met with both Koretskyi, whose “effective leadership of Ukraine’s strategic state-owned companies” he praised, and Shmyhal in a separate posts on X.

He said he’d offered Svyrydenko “the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner,” and was grateful for her “clear, steady and effective work” in her role, which she’s filled for just short of a year. Zelenskyy said “there will also be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies.” “Preparing for winter is an extremely important priority, and Ukraine must be ready for every threat that may arise,” he said.

“The transformation of state-owned companies, on which Ukraine’s resilience significantly depends, must be accelerated.” (Updates to reflect potential replacements starting from the first paragraph and additional details throughout.)