President Volodymyr Zelensky praised new Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi’s background in running state energy companies as Ukraine’s new government began work on Thursday. Zelensky said Koretskyi’s strength lies specifically in his experience at state-run energy companies, crediting him with reforming Ukrnafta after years of oligarchic control and steering Naftogaz through a difficult last winter despite Russian strikes.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Thanks to Serhii, Ukrnafta began working genuinely for our state,” Zelensky said, adding that “despite all the Russian strikes, Ukraine had gas.” Winter preparation remains a top priority Full preparation for the coming winter remains an essential task for the new government, alongside continued investment in Ukraine’s long-range strike capability to slow Russia’s war machine and deter further escalation. “Under any scenario, Ukraine must be fully ready to protect lives, protect our people, and ensure we get through the winter,” Zelensky said. “This is our main shared Ukrainian task for the new government.” Faster coordination with partners Under the new government, Ukraine’s approach to working with international partners is expected to shift greatly, with Zelensky calling for faster implementation of agreements already reached. Zelensky’s cabinet reshuffle In a sweeping wartime cabinet reshuffle, Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved Koretskyi as prime minister. Lawmakers voted to confirm Koretskyi on Thursday, following a nomination submitted by Zelensky and formally announced by Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk the previous evening. A total of 289 lawmakers backed his appointment.