Zelenskyy struggles to find Ukraine's next ambassador to US — Politico
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has faced difficulties in finding a new Ukrainian ambassador to the US following the dismissal of Olha Stefanishyna, according to Politico.
Zelenskyy initially considered appointing former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as ambassador to the United States. However, she declined.
"It is no secret that I counted on and offered Yulia Svyrydenko the post of ambassador to the United States," the President stated in late July.
He emphasized that he wanted to see someone in Washington with the highest possible qualifications—at the level of a deputy prime minister, minister, or prime minister.
However, after Svyrydenko's refusal, finding a suitable candidate proved difficult. According to sources interviewed by the agency, potential candidates are wary of the working conditions and the need to interact with the unpredictable administration of US President Donald Trump.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stated that influential Ukrainians may be reluctant to take this position due to fears that they would not have sufficient freedom to work effectively.
At the same time, a former Ukrainian diplomat noted that it would be an exaggeration to say there were no candidates at all.
"Of course, there are people who want the job, but there’s no one who really measures up to it. Zelenskyy is having a hard time filling the position," he said.
Politico notes that the prolonged absence of an ambassador to the US could become a serious problem for Ukraine precisely at a time when Washington is set to make decisions regarding arms, air defense, intelligence, and possible terms for peace negotiations.
At the same time, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn suggested that Zelenskyy might not appoint a new ambassador until the US midterm elections.
"It will be hard to judge who would fit the political landscape best until those elections have been held," he said.
Zelenskyy dismissed Stefanishyna from her post as ambassador to US
In early August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's ambassador to the US.
Stefanishyna was subsequently charged with illegal enrichment amounting to over 13.9 million hryvnias and providing false information in her financial disclosure statement.
Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that he had offered former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the US.
However, she has not yet accepted the President's offer.
