Yulia Svyrydenko, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, may become the new head of Naftogaz of Ukraine. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on the possible appointment. According to him, Svyrydenko may initially be appointed acting head of the company, before becoming the permanent CEO. No official announcement has yet been made regarding Svyrydenko’s appointment. Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has already changed the composition of the state-owned company’s supervisory board: on 6 August, Oleksiy Sobolev was elected to the board as the state’s representative.
Briefly about the main points
- Yulia Svyrydenko may be appointed head of Naftogaz of Ukraine, according to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
- According to his information, the former prime minister may initially take on the role of acting chair of the company.
- In due course, Svyrydenko may be appointed as Naftogaz’s permanent CEO.
- No official decision regarding her appointment has yet been announced.
- Oleksiy Sobolev has already joined Naftogaz’s supervisory board as a state representative.
Svyrydenko is being considered for the post of chairman of Naftogaz«
According to the MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, former head of government Yulia Sviridenko may continue to work in the public sector, this time at the helm of Ukraine’s largest energy company.
The MP claims that one possible scenario involves two stages. First, Svyrydenko may head «Naftogaz»as acting head, and subsequently to be appointed as the company’s permanent director.".
As of the time of publication, no official decision has been issued by the Cabinet of Ministers or the supervisory board regarding Svyrydenko’s appointment.
The possible reshuffle is linked to a change in the government’s leadership. Sergey Koretsky, who had headed Naftogaz before joining the Cabinet of Ministers, became one of the leading candidates for the post of Prime Minister in July. Zheleznyak had previously stated that Koretsky’s candidacy had, in effect, been approved. Koretsky subsequently became head of the government.
Sobolev has joined the supervisory board of Naftogaz«
Against the backdrop of reports regarding Svyrydenko’s possible appointment, changes have taken place on the company’s supervisory board.
By Order No. 763-r of 6 August 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Alexey Sobolev a member of the supervisory board of NAK «Naftogaz of Ukraine» as a representative of the state.
The relevant decision has been published on the Cabinet of Ministers’ official website.
The Supervisory Board plays an important role in the corporate governance of Naftogaz, particularly with regard to the work of the company’s executive body. Changes to its composition are therefore attracting additional attention against the backdrop of the expected appointment of a new head of Naftogaz.
Previously, in March 2026, the government had already renewed the composition of Naftogaz’s supervisory board. The selection of candidates was carried out by the Nomination Committee through a competitive process.
What is known about Svyrydenko’s possible appointment
Prior to the government reshuffle in July, Yulia Svyrydenko headed the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
After she resignations Several possible options for the former prime minister’s future role were discussed. In particular, in July, Zheleznyak suggested she might be appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to the US.
However, Ukrmedia sources close to Svyrydenko later reported that she had not accepted the offer to head the Ukrainian embassy in Washington.
Now, according to Zheleznyak, one of the possible personnel scenarios is the appointment of Svyrydenko to «Naftogaz».
It will only be possible to say definitively that she has joined the company once a formal decision to that effect has been taken.
Changes at Naftogaz of Ukraine«
Naftogaz of Ukraine is one of the country’s key state-owned companies and is of strategic importance to the country’s energy security. The company is involved in the production, procurement and supply of gas, and its decisions have a direct impact on Ukraine’s preparations for the heating season.
The former prime minister’s possible move to the post of head of Naftogaz would mark one of the most significant personnel changes since the Cabinet reshuffle.
At the same time, this currently relates specifically to information provided by the Member of Parliament, rather than a final appointment. Svyrydenko’s definitive status will become clear following an official decision regarding the company’s new management.
