Zelensky recalls Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Stefanishina

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree recalling Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Stefanishina. The document does not state the reasons for her dismissal, reports the Russian-language service of the BBC.

According to the Ukrainian outlet RBC-Ukraine, Stefanishina herself said she had decided to step down from her post in Washington on her own. However, the possibility of her departure had recently been widely discussed in Ukrainian political circles.

The ambassador's resignation comes amid an ongoing reshuffle of personnel launched by Zelensky following the recent change of government. According to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Ukraine's ambassadors to the Czech Republic and Poland — Vasyl Zvarych and Vasyl Bodnar — could be appointed deputy foreign ministers of Ukraine.

Various candidates have been discussed in the media as possible replacements for Stefanishina. Among them was the former secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and Ukraine's chief negotiator in the US-Russia-Ukraine talks to end the war, Rustem Umerov. However, Zelensky has already appointed him head of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).

According to RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky had earlier offered the ambassadorship in the US to former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who left the post of head of government a few weeks ago. Sources at the outlet reported in mid-July that she had turned down the offer.

Stefanishina previously served in the government led by Denys Shmyhal, which was reorganized last summer, and in July of this year the following cabinet — led by Svyrydenko — also completed its term.

As RBC-Ukraine notes, back in July last year the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into possible violations involving Stefanishina. The probe was prompted by a report from Ukrainska Pravda, according to which individuals connected to her received valuable assets through the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA). According to the outlet, the investigation into the case has still not been completed.

Source: novinky.cz