Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country's ambassadors to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and several other countries. The removals came after a speech on Monday in which he said embassies would be judged on their effectiveness in securing weapons for Ukraine.
Addressing representatives of Ukraine's diplomatic missions on Monday, Zelenskyy said their performance would be judged on their ability to secure weapons and funding for the country, as well as political measures that increase pressure on Russia.
“A Ukrainian ambassador must know how many air defense missiles are available in the country where they serve – and how to ensure that those missiles are not sitting in stockpiles somewhere, but loaded into our launchers here in Ukraine.
“Missiles for Patriots, NASAMS, IRIS-Ts, SAMP/Ts, and Hawks; weapons for our combat aircraft; everything our drones need – this is your daily work and ours. Every ambassador must bring weapons to Ukraine,” he said.
Among the other senior diplomats dismissed were Ukraine's U.S. Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna, Ambassador to Austria Vasyl Khymynets and the country's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vadym Omelchenko. Omelchenko will remain Ukraine's Ambassador to France.
Ukrainian media reported that Stefanishyna had informed Zelenskyy of her intention to leave the post in July following long-running investigations into alleged irregularities in her asset declaration.
In his speech to diplomatic staff, Zelenskyy also said embassies must work to counter claims by Russia and others that Ukraine wanted the war to continue.
“Your task is to consistently, persuasively, and credibly reject this accusation. It is Ukraine that wants peace. Ukraine has never wanted this war - not for a single day,” he said.
Valeriy Yevdokymov had served as Ukraine's Ambassador to Tajikistan since June 2022. He previously served as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service from 2019 to 2022.
Valerii Zhovtenko had served as Ukraine's Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan since 2018. He previously served as Ukraine's Ambassador to Lithuania.
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