Zelenskyy considers naming PM Shmyhal as ambassador to Washington — source

"Zelenskyy discussed the need to replace the ambassador and what he proposes to replace so that our new ambassador would be understandable to America," the source said.

Oksana Markarova may be replaced as ambassador to Washington by either:

• Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal,
• Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna,
• Defense Minister Rustem Umerov,
• Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

"The president chose these people because they are people who have already been in contact with the Americans and other strong partners and have produced results. And the level corresponds to the level of relations with America," the source said.

Bloomberg reported earlier that Zelenskyy discussed replacing the current ambassador to the United States during his July 4 phone call with President Donald Trump. The agency named the same candidates for the ambassador post.

Possible government reshuffle

Rumors have been circulating in political circles for several weeks now about a major government team reshuffle.

Several MPs and bloggers have reported that the president has decided to dismiss Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and replace him with Yulia Svyrydenko, the current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.

Shmyhal took over the government on March 4, 2020, on the eve of the COVID crisis. This government has been in place for the longest time since Ukraine's independence. Most members of the government have changed during this time. The last significant changes took place in September 2024.

Markarova has been Ukraine's ambassador to the United States since February 2021. She served as Minister of Finance of Ukraine from June 2018 to March 2020.