Ukraine has a new head of government — Serhiy Koretskyi, an effective manager with experience in both the private and public sectors. He will become the latest head of the Cabinet of Ministers during the Great War, with the corresponding tasks and objectives. However, environmental protection and environmental policy are not mentioned amongst these objectives. At least, not in his very first address to the Ukrainian parliament.
To this end, EcoPolitic analysed the Prime Minister’s speech and his responses to questions from MPs.
Nature — left out
“I want this Cabinet of Ministers to become a government of defence, a government of economic development, a government of European integration,” Koretskyi declared from the parliamentary rostrum.
The new head of government outlined the key priorities for his future work. These undoubtedly include supporting the country’s defence capabilities, providing social protection for the population – particularly internally displaced persons and veterans – preparing for winter, promoting business to ensure economic stability and development, and strengthening cooperation with partners.
Establishing a Separate Ministry for the Environment Requires Time
During the Q&A session, the issue of ecology was raised only by Member of Parliament Yuliia Ovchynnykova. The discussion touched on two topics – the separation of the Ministry of Environment into an independent institution and the vision of environmental security as one of the government’s future priorities. Serhii Koretskyi admitted that the merged ministry had been overloaded.
“Ecology and environmental protection are a major component of our path toward European integration. I am aware of this. The only reason why it has not yet been possible to propose a separation is that a little more time is needed to formulate clear goals, tasks, and identify someone who can lead it. This requires time.”
It should be noted that a significant number of specific tasks are included in Section 27 “Environment and Climate Change.” It is among the key indicators handed over to Ukraine within Negotiation Cluster 4, “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity.” Ukraine must review and implement in its legislation about 200 legislative and regulatory acts that in one way or another pertain to the environment – from waste management to the protection of natural habitats.
At the merged ministry, this work was entrusted to the smallest segment of the collective – as of the end of February this year, there were only 126 employees involved. EcoPolitic analyzed the institution’s human resources in a separate feature.
It should be recalled that the merged Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture was established in July 2025. Since then, the environmental community, experts, academics, and the public have repeatedly called for the restoration of a separate environmental institution. Their arguments include the need to overcome a large-scale environmental crisis, fulfill European integration obligations, and protect environmental interests at a time when the economy takes precedence. These arguments are detailed in this article.
As part of the latest Cabinet restructuring, the post of Minister of Economy and Environment was assumed by Oleksandr Kravchenko, an experienced expert in business strategic management consulting. He has not publicly shown any interest in environmental issues either.
