Germany plans unexpected change of ambassador in Ukraine — Spiegel

According to the outlet, Thoms is expected to be appointed Germany’s ambassador to Spain. Previously, he served as ambassador to Brazil and, during the tenure of Germany’s traffic light coalition (the Social Democrats, the Free Democratic Party, and the Greens), worked as a state secretary at the Finance Ministry.

Spiegel notes that no successor for the post in Ukraine has yet been selected, and the issue has not been formally reviewed by the German cabinet.

Meanwhile, Alexander Lambsdorff, Germany’s current ambassador to Russia, is expected to move to Tel Aviv. He is set to be replaced by Clemens von Goetze, who currently heads Germany’s diplomatic mission in Mexico.

Heiko Thoms

Heiko Thoms is a German diplomat and public official with a legal background, specializing in European integration, international financial policy, and security issues.

Key career milestones:

• Public service: Before his appointment to Ukraine (2023–2025), Thoms served as state secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance. He oversaw European and international financial policy, represented Germany in the G7, G20, and the IMF, and coordinated financial assistance to Ukraine.
• Diplomatic career: He has previously served as Germany’s ambassador to Brazil (2020–2023), Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO (2017–2020), and Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2013–2017).
• International leadership: Thoms has held positions as Vice President of UNICEF’s Executive Board and Vice President of the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). He is also chairman of the board of the Brussels Institute of Geopolitics.

It is worth noting that Thoms’ appointment as Germany’s ambassador to Ukraine was announced last year.