Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country’s ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, as part of an expected diplomatic reshuffle following changes to his government last month.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision, announced in a presidential decree on Monday, comes at a time when Kyiv is intensifying efforts to secure additional Patriot air defence missile systems from Washington to strengthen its defences against ongoing Russian attacks.
In a Facebook post accompanying a letter requesting to be relieved of her duties, Stefanishyna said her departure was made at her own request and was “dictated by personal circumstances.”
She described serving as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States as “the greatest honour” of her life.
“We increased the supply of American weapons and maintained support precisely when the political climate in Washington was shifting against us,” she said.
Stefanishyna, who previously served as Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and justice minister, was appointed ambassador to Washington in July last year.
The diplomatic post is considered one of Ukraine’s most strategic, given the country’s reliance on U.S. military assistance, intelligence sharing and political support in its war with Russia.
Relations between President Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump have experienced periods of tension since Trump returned to office, although recent interactions have suggested a more cooperative tone between the two leaders.
According to Ukrainian media reports, Stefanishyna is currently under investigation by the country’s anti-corruption agency over allegations of wrongdoing. However, she has not been formally charged with any offence.
Zelensky, who carried out a wide-ranging government reshuffle in July, has yet to announce a replacement for Stefanishyna as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States.
