Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing serious difficulties appointing a new head of Ukraine’s embassy in Washington. After Olga Stefanishyna’s dismissal, potential candidates are declining the post because of concerns about working conditions and the unpredictability of Donald Trump’s administration.
This is reported by Politico.
Why is Zelenskyy having trouble appointing Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S.?
Initially the head of state planned to send former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to Washington. However, she rejected the offer, which complicated the search for a suitable specialist.
“It is no secret that I counted on Yulia Svyrydenko and offered her the post of ambassador to the United States,”
– the president said at the end of July.
He emphasized that he is looking for a candidate with the highest possible level of qualification, equivalent to a deputy prime minister, minister, or head of government.
After Svyrydenko’s refusal, finding a worthy candidate proved extremely difficult. Politico’s interlocutors say that candidates are deterred by specific working conditions and the need to deal with the unpredictable administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and current member of parliament Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze explained that influential Ukrainian figures are avoiding this appointment. They fear they would lack the freedom of action in the post to achieve effective results.
A former Ukrainian diplomat, for his part, noted that there are still people willing to lead the embassy. “Of course, there are people who want this job, but there is no one who truly meets the requirements,” he emphasized.
What risks does the absence of an ambassador create for Ukraine?
Politico’s journalists point out that a prolonged pause in appointing an ambassador could lead to serious problems for Kyiv. Right now, key decisions are being made in Washington regarding arms deliveries, air defense systems, intelligence sharing, and shaping possible conditions for peace talks.
Member of Parliament Yaroslav Yurchyshyn suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy might postpone appointing a new diplomatic representative until after the U.S. midterm elections are concluded.
“It will be hard to judge who will best fit into the political landscape until those elections take place,”
– the politician summarized.
Recall that in early August Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to dismiss Olga Stefanishyna from the position of Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S.
It later became known that the former ambassador received a suspicion from law enforcement. She is accused of illegal enrichment in the amount of over 13,9 million hryvnias, as well as of submitting false information in her asset declaration.
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