Zelensky still can't find a new ambassador to US - Politico

President Volodymyr Zelensky still hasn't decided on a new Ukrainian ambassador to the United States after the dismissal of Olga Stefanishyna. Several potential candidates, who have sufficient political influence to work with the Donald Trump administration, have shown no desire to take the position, writes Politico, citing former senior officials and Ukrainian lawmakers.

This is one of the key diplomatic posts for Ukraine. The new ambassador is expected not only to carry out traditional diplomatic work, but also to have direct access to the US administration, the ability to negotiate on weapons, air defense and other military support issues, as well as work with Congress.

Initially, Zelensky hoped to send former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to Washington. The president publicly confirmed that he had personally offered her the position.

"It's no secret that I expected and offered Yulia Svyrydenko the post of ambassador to the United States", - Zelensky stated in July.

According to him, Ukraine's representative in Washington should be a politician at the level of deputy prime minister, minister or prime minister. One of Svyrydenko's advantages was her experience in negotiations with the US and participation in concluding Ukrainian-American economic agreements.

However, Svyrydenko refused the offer. Earlier, Kurs Ukrainy wrote that after this, Zelensky continued trying to persuade the former prime minister to head the diplomatic mission.

Now Politico reports that the problem turned out to be broader: other potential candidates are also in no hurry to agree. According to the publication's interlocutors, some Ukrainian politicians doubt that they will receive sufficient authority, the president's trust and direct access to him, which are necessary for effective work in Washington.

At the same time, a former Ukrainian diplomat who spoke with Politico cautioned against the assertion that no one wants the position at all. According to him, there are willing people, but it is difficult to find among them someone who simultaneously has sufficient political weight, diplomatic experience and Zelensky's trust.

This significantly narrows the choice. Opposition lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze believes that the candidate most likely must belong to the close circle of people the president trusts. At the same time, in her opinion, there is no obvious candidate who would meet all the requirements at the moment.

Washington remains without a Ukrainian ambassador

Zelensky dismissed Olga Stefanishyna from the post of ambassador on August 3. Before that, she announced her decision to leave the diplomatic service for personal reasons. The president has not yet appointed a new head of the embassy.

Two days after Stefanishyna's dismissal, she was notified of suspicion of illegal enrichment of 13.9 million UAH and false declaration. She denies the accusations.

The vacancy arose at a difficult time for Kyiv-Washington relations. Ukraine is negotiating with the US on the supply and production of air defense systems, further military cooperation, investments, and the purchase of Ukrainian defense technologies.

At the same time, Washington remains one of the key participants in the possible resumption of negotiations on ending the war. Therefore, Ukraine needs an ambassador who will have sufficient authority to speak on behalf of the president and quickly reach high-ranking White House officials.

Lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn suggested in a comment to Politico that Zelensky might not rush the appointment until the US midterm elections. In his opinion, after the elections, it will become clearer which person will best fit the new political landscape in Washington.

Thus, the story became a continuation of the personnel problem reported back in July. At that time, the main question was Svyrydenko's agreement, while now, according to Politico, the president has no obvious alternative candidate for one of Ukraine's most important diplomatic posts.

Based on materials: Politico, The Kyiv Independent