Address by Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergii Koretskyi to the Verkhovna Rada

Honourable Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

The first thing I want to say is my sincere thanks to the Defence Forces for making it possible for me to stand at this podium today.

I would also like to thank the members of the Government who have worked with dedication throughout the four and a half years since the start of the full-scale invasion, as well as every member of the Verkhovna Rada without exception.

And, of course, I thank the President of Ukraine for his leadership during these difficult times.

As I reflect on my work at Naftogaz, I would also like to express my gratitude to the entire team and to everyone working in the energy sector. We made it through last winter thanks to their courage, dedication and professionalism.

I fully realise that this coming winter could prove even more challenging. That is why we must remain united and resolute – to protect our people and preserve the systems that sustain the life of our state.

The enemy continues to try, unsuccessfully, to break us – both physically and morally.

We must preserve our strength of spirit and our optimism so that we can continue this fight.

I have been offered the opportunity to lead the Government.

After spending more than twenty years in the private corporate sector, I took over as head of the state-owned company Ukrnafta during the first year of the full-scale invasion.

At the outset, there was the political will of the country’s leadership and a clear determination to tackle corruption.

Then came the work of the team. Together, we delivered record profits, taxes and dividends worth tens of billions of hryvnias from what had previously been a loss-making company.

The President and the Government had exactly the same expectations when I was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of the state-owned Naftogaz.

We made it through the most difficult winter and ensured an uninterrupted gas supply to Ukrainians despite the severe losses to our own gas production caused by massive attacks on our infrastructure.

We proved that public administration can – and must – be effective.

I have always believed that effectiveness does not depend on ownership. It depends on people, responsibility, professionalism and fair rules. Those are the principles I intend to bring to the work of the entire Cabinet of Ministers.

I draw inspiration from what we have achieved together over the past four years.

Today marks the beginning of the next stage – one defined by challenges and responsibilities on a national scale.

This is the right time and the right place to devote all my energy, effort and experience to serving the entire country at such a difficult moment in its history. I will do everything in my power to be of service to my country, here and now.

Ukraine’s resilience rests on two foundations: our Armed Forces – the servicemen and women holding the front line – and our people, who, despite all the horrors of war, continue to live here, work here, rebuild, develop and maintain their resolve in the fifth year of this war.

That is why the Government faces clear tasks that Ukrainian society expects and that the current time demands:

• Ensuring comprehensive support for the Defence Forces and expanding Ukraine’s defence industry.
• Supporting the people of Ukraine through a strong system of social protection, with particular attention to frontline communities, where the situation remains most difficult.
• Preparing for and getting through the coming winter.
• Supporting businesses to safeguard economic stability and drive growth.
• Strengthening cooperation with our partners, attracting international assistance and ensuring it is used effectively.
• Of course, advancing Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

russia is committing horrific crimes against the Ukrainian nation. Ukrainians are losing their loved ones, their homes and the everyday lives and communities that every person deserves.

We must strengthen support for internally displaced persons.

Our veterans and their families remain an absolute priority. These are people who are giving the most precious thing they have for the sake of all of us.

The state has supported our veterans, and it will continue to do so.

I would also like to emphasise the importance of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, which should remain a strong and self-sufficient part of the Government.

Ukraine will become a member of the European Union.

This is one of our constitutional priorities. It is also the historic mission of our generation.

And I promise that this Government will do everything possible – and everything necessary – to achieve that goal.

The Government must operate with the greatest possible openness.

I have already met with all parliamentary factions and groups. I pledge to remain open and to build the most constructive possible dialogue with Parliament.

Honourable Members of Parliament, I need your support and your assistance. You know your regions and their most pressing needs better than anyone.

Everything this Government does will be measured against one criterion: whether it helps those who are fighting, and those for whom our soldiers are fighting.

I am prepared to take difficult decisions. What matters is that they improve people’s lives in every region of Ukraine, especially in the frontline regions that come under russian attack virtually every day.

I want this Cabinet of Ministers to be a Government of defence, a Government of economic development, and a Government of European integration.

Finally, I would like to say that our foremost task in this war is to preserve Ukraine’s national identity for generations to come.

Because a nation that lives by an idea cannot be destroyed.

Thank you for your attention.

Glory to Ukraine!