Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to dismiss Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, after a phone call with US President Donald Trump, the Financial Times reported, quoted by DPA, BTA reports.
Potential successors to Markarova are currently being discussed, with the candidacy subject to approval by both parties. Markarova, who has held the post since 2021, has been the subject of criticism from some Republican Party representatives for allegedly working closely with Democrats.
According to DPA, her removal is seen as a political gesture by Zelensky to Trump at a crucial time for Ukraine, after Washington temporarily froze some of the already approved arms deliveries. This comes against the backdrop of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky is expected to announce the new ambassador next week, with the reshuffle being part of a broader government reshuffle. Since the start of the war in February 2022, the Ukrainian president has already made several changes to his cabinet.
According to sources in the Financial Times, Zelensky is looking for a diplomat who is a “good negotiator“ and at the same time “acceptable to the White House and Congress“. Among the names being touted are Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Balazh Jarabik, a former EU diplomat in Kiev, commented that such personnel changes do not mean a change in Ukraine's strategic direction, but rather an attempt to demonstrate control and adaptation to internal and external pressure.