Zelenskyy puts Naftogaz chief forward for Ukraine prime minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has endorsed Sergii Koretskyi, the head of state energy company Naftogaz, as the country’s next prime minister. The choice points to energy security as Kyiv prepares for winter under the threat of further Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power and heating systems, Reuters reported.

Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Ukraine’s immediate focus is winter preparation and that, after consultations, Koretskyi was the candidate most ready to take the post. Parliament has the authority to appoint the prime minister.

If lawmakers approve him, Koretskyi would replace Yulia Svyrydenko, whose resignation parliament accepted on Tuesday, according to Reuters. A vote on her successor is expected on Thursday.

Zelenskyy’s preferred nominee is likely to win approval because the president’s party holds a parliamentary majority, Reuters reported. The move would mark Ukraine’s second cabinet reshuffle in a year.

Cabinet changes expected

Under Ukraine’s system, a prime minister’s resignation brings down the cabinet as a whole, clearing the way for a broader government shake-up. Zelenskyy has given limited public detail about why he is remaking the government now, Reuters reported.

The president has said Ukraine is adopting a new political strategy that requires personnel changes across government and law enforcement. He has also linked the strategy to several foreign policy goals.

According to Reuters, Zelenskyy named priorities including agreements to produce Patriot air defence systems under licence, progress on Ukraine’s European Union membership bid and stronger relations with Gulf countries. Zelenskyy described the Gulf as one of the most promising regions for security and economic cooperation.

Defence minister’s future in focus

The reshuffle has drawn attention to Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Reuters reported. Fedorov, 35, has promoted technological changes and came to the ministry from outside its traditional defence establishment.

He has been in the defence post for six months. Reuters reported that the question of his future comes as Ukraine presses a campaign of long-range drone strikes against Russia and as battlefield momentum has been shifting in Ukraine’s favour.

Asked whether Fedorov would remain defence minister, Zelenskyy said he planned to meet him and army leaders on Wednesday. The president also planned to meet lawmakers from the ruling party.

Koretskyi’s nomination places the leadership of Ukraine’s government in the hands of parliament during a period shaped by war, winter energy risks and changes inside the security apparatus. Reuters reported that Kyiv expects Russia to continue targeting the energy grid as temperatures fall.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.