As of August 18, 2026, the appointment of former Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko as the head of NAK "Naftogaz of Ukraine" remains in "in progress" status. Although the political decision to change the leadership of the state energy company has already been made, the formal appointment procedure has not yet been completed. Experts and sources within the company's supervisory board indicate that the delay is not due to a rejection of the candidate, but rather the need to work out legal nuances in detail and coordinate the position of independent board members.

Legal barriers and Article 26

Experts cite legislative restrictions regarding former officials as the key obstacle hindering the finalization of the appointment. Alexander Vyzir, coordinator of the "Energy and Climate" sector of the Ukraine Facility Platform, pointed out in a comment to the publication "Energy Reform" to Article 26 of the Law on Prevention of Corruption. This regulatory act provides for a moratorium on holding managerial positions in companies over which the official previously had influence, for a period of one year after leaving office.

Vyzir notes that the Naftogaz supervisory board is carefully weighing the risks. On the one hand, the Cabinet of Ministers is a collegial body, and decisions were not made by the Prime Minister unilaterally, which could serve as a counter-argument. On the other hand, for foreign representatives of the board, the appointment of a former head of government may look like a non-standard step requiring additional justification.

Political arithmetic in the supervisory board

The situation surrounding the appointment also has an aspect of internal politics within corporate governance. According to a source for the portal, the chairman of the supervisory board, Duncan Nightingale, is inclined to support Sviridenko's candidacy. Given that the board consists of seven people and decisions are made by a simple majority, the votes of Nightingale and his supporters are theoretically sufficient to approve the candidate.

However, as sources note, ignoring the position of independent board members would be a strategic mistake capable of destabilizing the company's further work. This is why negotiations continue, and the parties are seeking a compromise that will legitimize the appointment in the eyes of all participants in the process.

Expert assessment: experience versus specialization

The question of Yulia Sviridenko's competence is controversial in the expert community. Former member of the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities, Olga Babiy, considers the appointment an "ideal solution," arguing that a year as Prime Minister gave Sviridenko a deep understanding of the energy agenda. According to Babiy, the lack of narrow-profile experience in the gas industry is not a critical obstacle in current conditions.

The main task of the new leadership, according to experts, will be to attract international financing for gas purchases and infrastructure restoration after Russian attacks. In this context, Sviridenko's advantage is her high recognition and clarity for international partners, which could simplify dialogue with donors and investors.

Contradictory data

There are discrepancies in the information space regarding the timing and status of the appointment. On the one hand, a source in "Energy Reform" states that the decision could be made in the coming days or a week, and the delay does not mean abandoning the idea. On the other hand, RBC-Ukraine, citing Interfax-Ukraine, reports that the process has been dragged out, and the supervisory board continues to discuss possible legal risks, indicating a longer perspective for making a final decision.

There is also a spread in assessments of the motivation for the appointment: some experts view this as a "golden parachute" for the premiership, while others see it as a pragmatic step to solve systemic problems of Naftogaz, such as the debt conflict with TEC and work in the closed gas market.