Bolkisev Made Chief of Naftogaz.

The outgoing government on Friday appointed Alexander Bolkisev as chairman of the national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy. Bolkisev had been acting chairman since the previous chairman Olexy Ivchenko took a seat in parliament. Previously Bolkisev was director of Naftogaz’s gas distribution arm, Gaz Ukrainy. Vladimir Nesterenko: Bolkisev is said to be more of professional than Ivchenko and less of a nationalist, which could help relations with Gazprom. However, his appointment is likely to be short-lived since  Yulia Tymoshenko is expected to appoint a new chairman of Naftogaz after she takes over the cabinet. Bolkisev is rumoured to be close to the outgoing energy minister, Ivan Plachkov.