Ukrainian FM confirms pending replacement of ambassadors in U.S., some other countries

MOSCOW. July 9 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is planning to relieve of duties Ukrainian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States Oksana Markarova, who has been in office since February 25, 2021, and to replace all Ukrainian ambassadors to G7 and G20 countries, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga said, as reported by Ukrainian media.

"Oksana Markarova is one of our most successful ambassadors, she is exceptionally effective and charismatic, but every diplomat seems to have a rotation cycle. I can confirm to you that the Ukrainian president's vision implies a rotation in all G7 and G20 countries. I mean, these countries, including the U.S. track, will be enhanced in the first turn. So, this is actually on the current agenda," the media quoted Sibiga as telling Radio Ukraine in an interview on Tuesday.

About 20 presidential orders will be issued to replace the Ukrainian ambassadors after a meeting scheduled for July 21, Sibiga said. "We are preparing for an ambassadorial meeting to sum up results. Indeed, personnel decisions will be made, this is a prerogative of the Ukrainian president. Perhaps, we should expect about 20 orders to dismiss and appoint new heads of diplomatic missions abroad," he said.

Ambassadors need to be effective, Sibiga said.

Western media said earlier, citing their sources, that Zelensky had discussed the replacement of the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone. In particular, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal is a potential candidate for the Ukrainian ambassador in Washington, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Energy Minister German Galushchenko. Earlier, Culture and Strategic Communications Minister Nikolai Tochitsky and deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidential office Igor Zhovkva were mentioned among possible candidates.