Naftogaz CEO Chernyshov appointed deputy PM, while still unclear who will head company

MOSCOW. Dec 3 (Interfax) - The Verkhovna Rada has appointed Naftogaz CEO Alexei Chernyshov deputy prime minister and minister of national unity of Ukraine.

The corresponding resolution was adopted at a plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, Ukrainian media reported, citing a livestream from the session hall.

Currently, "no one knows how many Ukrainians are abroad, eight or nine million, or maybe ten million," Chernyshov said in his speech.

He also said that the Ministry of National Unity was being established by reorganizing the Ministry of Reintegration. "As for increasing the number of ministries, this is not happening and will not happen, because the ministry is being established by reorganizing the existing ministry of reintegration, and no additional ministries will be formed," Chernyshov said.

It is still unclear who may replace Chernyshov as Naftogaz of Ukraine's CEO.