Naftogaz Head Chernyshov might return to Ukrainian govt - deputy

MOSCOW. June 3 (Interfax) - Chairman of the Board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, Alexey Chernyshov could take over as Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Ukrainian media reported, citing a statement from MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak on Telegram on Monday.

In addition, deputy head of the office of the Ukrainian president, Alexei Kuleba, could become Regional Development Minister, he said.

"In terms of dates: today they will announce; tomorrow they will get a faction together, and officially the coalition will nominate a candidate for prime minister; on Wednesday (05/06), there will be committees and voting held in the Rada," he said.

Chernyshov could also become deputy prime minister for restoration, the deputy said.

As reported, on May 9, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, Alexander Kubrakov. The initiators of the resignation from the ruling Servant of the People Party said that the idea of creating the Ministry of Reconstruction at the end of 2022 by merging the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Regional Construction was a mistake. In this regard, it is necessary to restore the Ministry of Regional Development.

The decision was made without providing a hearing the Deputy Prime Minister and without proposing new candidates.

A few days later, the government appointed acting Head of the Ministry of Reconstruction, First Deputy Minister Vasily Shkurakov, who, before joining the Ministry of Infrastructure in August 2021, had headed the Ukrainian Financial Housing Company PJSC since 2020, and previously held the position of Deputy Minister of Finance.

Chernyshov has headed Naftogaz since November 3, 2022; he previously served as Minister of Regional Development. Chernyshov's predecessor in the state holding was Yuriy Vitrenko, who served as head of Naftogaz from April 2021 until November 1, 2022.