Zelensky dismisses six ambassadors and changes representative at UNESCO
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees on the dismissal of six Ukrainian diplomats who represented the country in eight states. The personnel changes also affected Ukraine's representation at UNESCO.
Olga Stefanyshyna has been relieved of her duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States. She earlier stated that she decided to step down for personal reasons.
According to the published decrees, the following individuals have also left their posts:
- Volodymyr Khomanets — Ambassador of Ukraine to Tunisia and concurrently to Libya;
- Vasyl Khymynets — Ambassador of Ukraine to Austria;
- Valerii Yevdokymov — Ambassador of Ukraine to Tajikistan;
- Valerii Zhovtenko — Ambassador of Ukraine to Kyrgyzstan;
- Kateryna Zelenko — Ambassador of Ukraine to Singapore and concurrently to Brunei.
Thus, the personnel decisions affected Ukraine's diplomatic missions in the USA, Tunisia, Libya, Austria, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, and Brunei. The reasons for the dismissal of most diplomats are not specified in the decrees.
In addition, Zelensky appointed Viktoriia Lyalina-Boyko as Permanent Representative of Ukraine to UNESCO. Previously, these duties were performed concurrently by the Ambassador of Ukraine to France, Vadym Omelchenko.
The decrees are dated August 3, 2026. Information on the appointment of new ambassadors to the states where the positions became vacant has not yet been published.
